Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world
The US Congress confirmed Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, in a peaceful process that marked a sharp contrast to the violent attempt by his supporters to overturn Joe Biden’s victory four years ago.
Legislator approval TrumpA victory over Vice President Kamala Harris will pave the way for him to take office as planned on January 20, cementing a comeback that defied his criminal conviction and the political damage he suffered from his 2020 defeat.
The shadow of the attack on the Capitol four years ago looms over the event, with heavy security measures in place as it is a joint session Congress met. But in that case, the only disruption came from heavy snowfall that brought Washington to a standstill, closing federal offices and schools.
Harris she presided over a ceremony marking her election defeat, as Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president, did four years ago, drawing the ire of her boss and the scorn of many in the Republican base.
“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the fundamental principles of American democracy. Like any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from a monarchy or a tyranny,” Harris said in a short video posted on X on Monday morning.
Four years ago, Trump refused to recognize Biden’s victory, falsely claiming it was widespread fraud and encouraging his supporters to “stop the theft” as they gathered on the National Mall on certification day.
After the attack on the Capitol that day, some of Trump’s supporters faced criminal charges and convictions for their actions. But the newly elected president promised to pardon them as victims of political persecution.
After leaving office in late January 2021, Trump had an approval rating just below 39 percent, but is now above 47 percent, according to Fivethirtyeight.com’s survey average.
“TODAY CONGRESS CONFIRMED OUR BIG ELECTION VICTORY — A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social profile before proceedings on Capitol Hill. In the Nov. 5 election, Trump defeated Harris 312 to 226 in the Electoral College 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 defend 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, Democrat of Colorado, 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, a hardline Georgia lawmaker close to Trump, stood when his victory in the southern battleground state was read.
Republican John Thune, the new Senate Majority Leader, and Chuck Schumer, the House Democratic leader, sat in the front row on either side of the aisle.
Earlier in the day, half a foot of snow blanketed Washington, curbing the morning rush hour. Metro trains ran underground with empty seats. Snowshoes crunched on the polished floors of the Capitol, while police walkie-talkies crackled with minor threats.
“Elected officials across the country have faced increased threats in recent years, so we can’t take any chances when it comes to protecting members of Congress,” Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said in a statement.
