Congress Certifies Donald Trump’s Victory in 2024 Election

January 6, 2025 by Dan McCue
Congress Certifies Donald Trump’s Victory in 2024 Election
Vice President Kamala Harris reads the results as House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., listens during a joint session of Congress to confirm the Electoral College votes, affirming President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

WASHINGTON — For the first time since Jan. 6, 2021, Congress gathered at the U.S. Capitol to certify the results of a presidential election, and once again the big news of the day was outside the House chamber.

This time, thankfully, it was only snow — and lots of it — that blanketed the Capitol grounds.

Inside, the certification of the election results went off without a hitch and took, from first to last, only about 30 minutes before Vice President Kamala Harris gaveled the joint session to a close.

“Well, today was … obviously, a very important day,” a stoic Harris said after certifying President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, and by extension her loss, in the 2024 presidential contest.

“[Today] was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted, which is that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power,” Harris said.

“And today, I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath that I have taken many times to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which included, today, performing my constitutional duties to ensure that the people of America, the voters of America, will have their votes counted, that those votes matter, and that they will determine, then, the outcome of an election,” she continued.

“I do believe very strongly that America’s democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it — every single person — their willingness to fight for and respect the importance of our democracy,” Harris said in what may well be her last public remarks as vice president.

“Otherwise, it is very fragile and it will not be able to withstand moments of crisis. Today, America’s democracy stood,” she said.

Unlike four years ago, there were no objections from any lawmakers as the vote tallies of each state were read on the House floor and into history.

When it was over, the record showed Trump secured the presidency for a second time by garnering 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226.

Republicans cheered and rose in a standing ovation in the chamber as Harris announced Trump’s vote total and its certification. Democrats rose and cheered Harris’ vote count.

The members on both sides of the aisle rose for a final standing ovation and Harris brought the proceeding to a close.

Assisting with the count were Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., as well as Reps. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y. and Bryan Steil, R-Wis.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue

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  • Congress
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  • Kamala Harris
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