A short while ago, Congress formally certified President-elect Trump’s victory in the Electoral College, confirming his win over Vice President Harris ahead of his January 20th inauguration.
The final certification process took place without any objections as lawmakers read the tally of electoral votes for each state on the House floor. Trump secured the presidency with 312 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s 226, confirming his victory as the final step before he officially takes office.
As Harris declared the results certified, Republicans in the chamber stood and applauded, giving him a standing ovation. A bipartisan round of applause followed after Harris announced the conclusion of the joint session of Congress. The entire event lasted roughly 30 minutes before she adjourned the session with a gavel.
Harris, presiding over the session, maintained a composed and neutral demeanor throughout, refraining from any applause or show of emotion. The entire certification process proceeded smoothly, unlike the turbulent certification of Trump’s 2016 victory, when some Democratic lawmakers attempted to block it.
Several members of Congress assisted with the certification, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Reps. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), with Vice President-elect JD Vance also present during the proceedings.
Trump remained at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. He did, however, refer to it as a “big moment in history” just hours before the event took place.
In a video released ahead of the certification, Harris praised the “peaceful transfer of power,” describing it as a fundamental aspect of American democracy. She called the task a “sacred obligation” and emphasized its importance. “As we have seen, our democracy can be fragile,” Harris stated. “And it is up to each of us to stand up for our most cherished principles.”
Although the certification was mostly ceremonial, there was some tension surrounding it. A snowstorm in Washington the previous night caused travel delays for lawmakers heading to the Capitol to participate in the event. Because the certification was mandated for January 6 by federal law, changing the date would have required new legislation.
In the wake of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, security was heightened, with fencing erected around the complex and an increased police presence around both the Capitol and surrounding Senate and House office buildings.

{Matzav.com}