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Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world
The US Congress has confirmed Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, in a peaceful process that marked a stark contrast to the violent attempt by his supporters to overturn Joe Biden’s victory four years ago.
Lawmakers’ approval of Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris would clear the way for him to take office as scheduled on Jan. 20, cementing a comeback that defied his criminal conviction and the political damage he suffered after his loss 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 convened. But in this case, the only disruption came from heavy snowfall that brought Washington to a standstill, closing federal offices and schools.
“It was a peaceful day because we don’t have election deniers on our side of the road — and we try to act like constitutional patriots,” said Jamie Raskin, the Democratic congressman who led Trump’s impeachment in the House four years ago.
Harris presided over the ceremony to preserve her electoral defeat, as Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president, did four years ago, sparking the ire of his boss and the hatred of many in the Republican base.
“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. Like any other principle, it’s what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny,” Harris said in a short video posted on X Monday morning.
Four years ago, Trump refused to acknowledge Biden’s victory, falsely alleging widespread fraud and encouraging his supporters to “stop stealing” as they gathered on the National Mall on the day of the certification.
After their attack 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 forgive them as victims of political persecution.
After leaving office in late January 2021, Trump had an approval rating of just below 39 percent, but is now above 47 percent, according to the Fivethirtyeight.com polling average.
“CONGRESS TODAY CERTIFIES OUR GREAT ELECTION VICTORY — A GREAT MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account before proceedings began on Capitol Hill. In the Nov. 5 election, Trump defeated Harris by 312 to 226 electoral college votes 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 protect 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,” Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said in a statement.
As the count continued Monday, Republicans in the chamber clapped and cheered when states won by Trump were mentioned, while Democrats applauded Harris’ victories. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hard-line Georgia lawmaker close to Trump, rose to her feet when his victory in the southern battleground state was read.
Taylor Greene, who voted against certifying Biden’s victory in 2020 and echoed Trump’s claim that that election was “stolen,” said Monday was “totally different” because the polls were “totally different” for due to “Covid lockdowns and the historic use of absentee ballots.” four years ago.
“Two completely different elections were held,” she said. “The American people made it clear what they wanted.”
Republican John Thune, the new Senate majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the chamber, sat in the front row on either side of the aisle.
Earlier in the day, a half-meter of snow blanketed Washington, beating the morning rush. Subway trains ran underground with empty seats. Snowshoes crunched on the smooth floors of the Capitol as police walkie-talkies crackled with small threats.
“Elected officials across the country have faced an increased threat environment in recent years, so we cannot take any chances when it comes to protecting members of Congress,” the US Capitol Police Chief said in a statement. Thomas Manger.
