WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump was formally declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday as Congress certified the Electoral College results in a joint session presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic rival in the race.
The ceremony, which lasted about 30 minutes, was marked by bipartisan acknowledgment of the results, a sharp contrast to the chaotic events of January 6, 2021. Lawmakers calmly applauded as Trump clinched the 270 electoral votes needed for his second term, with the final tally read aloud from Texas.
“This marks the greatest political comeback in American history,” House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X (formerly Twitter). “President Trump’s landslide victory reflects a clear mandate from the American people to advance the America First agenda.”
Harris, who became the first presidential candidate since Al Gore in 2000 to certify her opponent’s win, described the occasion as a moment of duty. “I did what I’ve always done—uphold my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Harris said after the session. “Today was about ensuring that the will of the voters is honored.”
Vice President-elect JD Vance, who will resign his Senate seat before Inauguration Day on January 20, attended the session alongside an energized Republican caucus. GOP members frequently stood to cheer as Trump and Vance’s names were announced during the state-by-state tally.
“The American people have rejected socialism and wokeism. They’ve chosen President Trump to lead,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
Meanwhile, Democrats approached the day with a somber tone, emphasizing the importance of accepting electoral defeat with grace. “We hope this sets an example,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “We are not election deniers. We lost the election, and we regret it, but we respect the strength of our democracy.”
Monday’s uneventful proceedings stood in stark contrast to the violent Capitol riot of 2021. That day remains a painful memory for lawmakers like Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., who gained attention four years ago for cleaning debris left by the rioters. “Retracing those steps today brings back a flood of emotions,” Kim said. “It’s hard to put into words.”
As Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reflected on the events of January 6, 2021, at the window where rioters first breached the Capitol, Schumer pledged to remember the lessons of that day. “There are those who want us to forget or rewrite the story,” Schumer said. “But we will never forget.”
Despite political divisions, Monday’s certification showcased a peaceful transfer of power, underscoring the resilience of American democracy.
