Congress Certifies Trump’s Election Victory Amid Heavy Security/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Congress convened Monday under heightened security to certify Donald Trump’s election win, marking his return to power four years after the Capitol attack. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the session, certifying her defeat in a peaceful process in stark contrast to Jan. 6, 2021.
Key Points
- Historic Context: Trump becomes the first president to win reelection after contesting and denying his prior defeat.
- Peaceful Certification: Congress certified Trump’s decisive 312-226 Electoral College victory with no violence or procedural objections.
- Heightened Security: The Capitol was fortified with heavy fencing and heightened security measures, echoing the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
- New Rules: Updated Electoral Count Act requires one-fifth of lawmakers to challenge election results, reducing procedural disruptions.
- Trump’s Perspective: Trump called the certification a “BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY,” while promising pardons for Jan. 6 defendants.
Congress Certifies Trump’s Election Victory Amid Heavy Security
Deep Look
Peaceful Certification Amid Jan. 6 Legacy
Congress reconvened on Jan. 6 under the shadow of the Capitol attack four years ago. Vice President Kamala Harris, fulfilling her constitutional role, presided over the certification process, marking a peaceful transfer of power back to Donald Trump.
The session began with Harris gaveling the House to order. “The House comes to order,” she said, launching a process steeped in tradition and historical gravity.
Despite heavy security and the surrounding snowstorm, no protests or violence disrupted proceedings.
Tight Security Measures
Security mirrored Super Bowl-level precautions, with tall fencing and restricted access to the Capitol. Law enforcement maintained vigilance, ensuring no repeat of the 2021 Capitol siege.
Updated Rules and Process
Under the revised Electoral Count Act, objections to state results now require the support of one-fifth of lawmakers in both chambers, making disruptions less likely.
This stands in contrast to 2021, when Republican lawmakers, parroting Trump’s false election fraud claims, contested state results. This time, no objections arose, reflecting Trump’s decisive victory.
Contrasting Outcomes
The peaceful certification this year highlights the stark difference from Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn his defeat.
- 2021 Violence: The riot resulted in destruction, injuries, and over 1,250 arrests, with leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy.
- Trump’s Legacy: Trump continues to label Jan. 6 a “day of love” and has promised pardons for those convicted.
Trump’s Second Term
Trump’s return to power underscores lingering divisions in American politics:
- Pardon Promises: Trump pledged to pardon many convicted for the Capitol siege.
- Post-Presidency Immunity: Legal challenges surrounding Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election were dismissed after his reelection, as Justice Department policies shield sitting presidents.
Democratic and Republican Reactions
- Democratic Response: President Joe Biden called Jan. 6, 2021, “one of the toughest days in American history” and emphasized the importance of preserving democratic norms.
- Republican Comments: While some Republicans celebrated Trump’s return, others downplayed the significance of the Capitol attack, with Rep. Mike Collins referring to the rioters as “peaceful grandmothers.”
Biden’s Final Acts
In one of his outgoing gestures, Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Rep. Bennie Thompson and former Rep. Liz Cheney for their work leading the Jan. 6 investigative committee.
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