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The US Congress has certified Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, in a peaceful proceeding that marked a stark contrast to the violent attempt by his supporters to overturn Joe Biden’s win four years ago.
The lawmakers’ approval of Trump’s win over vice-president Kamala Harris will pave the way for him to take office as planned on January 20, cementing a comeback that defied his criminal conviction and the political damage he suffered after his defeat in 2020.
The shadow of the attack on the Capitol four years ago hung over the event, with tight security in place as the joint session of Congress met. But in the event, the only disruption came from heavy snowfall that ground Washington to a halt, closing federal offices and schools.
Harris presided over the ceremony to enshrine her electoral defeat, as Mike Pence, Trump’s vice-president, did four years ago, sparking the anger of his boss and the loathing of many in the Republican base.
“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. As much as any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny,” Harris said in a short video posted on X on Monday morning.
Four years ago, Trump refused to acknowledge Biden’s victory, falsely claiming widespread fraud and encouraging his supporters to “stop the steal” as they assembled on the National Mall on the day of the certification.
After their assault on the Capitol that day, some of Trump’s supporters faced criminal charges and convictions for their actions. But the president-elect has promised to pardon them as victims of political persecution.
After leaving office in late January 2021, Trump had an approval rating of just below 39 per cent but it is now above 47 per cent, according to Fivethirtyeight.com’s polling average.
“CONGRESS CERTIFIES OUR GREAT ELECTION VICTORY TODAY — A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account before the proceedings on Capitol Hill. In the November 5 election, Trump defeated Harris by 312 to 226 votes in the electoral college and 1.5 percentage points in the popular vote.
But Democrats urged Americans not to forget what happened four years ago, calling it one of the darkest days in American political history.
“We can never repeat the events of January 6 2021. We must always work to defend our democracy, protect free and fair elections, and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Regardless of our political beliefs, we are all Americans. Violence can never be the answer to our political differences,” said Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, in a statement.
As the count proceeded on Monday, Republicans in the chamber clapped and cheered when the states won by Trump were mentioned, while Democrats applauded the Harris victories. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hardline Georgia lawmaker close to Trump, stood up when his victory in the southern battleground state was read out.
Republican John Thune, the new Senate majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, the chamber’s Democratic leader, were seated in the front row on either side of the aisle.
Earlier in the day, a half-foot of snow blanketed Washington, subduing the morning rush. Metro trains ran underground with empty seats. Snow shoes squeaked on the Capitol’s polished floors, as police walkie talkies crackled with minor threats.
“Elected officials across the country have faced a heightened threat environment in recent years, so we cannot take any chances when it comes to protecting the members of Congress,” US Capitol police chief Thomas Manger had said in a statement.
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