United States – At a session chaired by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the November election, the United States Congress officially certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s success.
In profound contrast to four years ago, when a group of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the certification of then-President Trump’s 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden, the quadrennial ritual proceeded as planned, paving the way for Trump’s inauguration in two weeks.
The same questionable title was held by then-Vice President Al Gore in 2001 after a fierce contest between him and George Bush that came so close.
Bush was pronounced the victor once the Supreme Court finally had to end the legal battles.
Harris also confirmed the vice presidential victory of Senator JD Vance, who was seated in the House chamber.
Upon the announcement of his electoral vote total, Vance stood and gestured to the members of the chamber.
Despite a winter storm that caused snarled travel, the joint session of Congress continued.
Preliminary findings that Trump received 312 Electoral College votes to Harris’s 226 were supported by the final certification.
In the US, Republicans also won a majority. Trump will have the party backing he needs to carry out his intended program of tax cuts and a crackdown on illegal immigration after winning a close victory in the House and Senate in the November election.
In anticipation of the certification, security was increased both inside and outside the Capitol and was anticipated to continue until January 20, when Trump was sworn in.