‘Sacred obligation’: Congress certifies Donald Trump’s election win

Congress has certified Donald Trump’s election victory swiftly and without incident, drawing a glaring contrast with the scene four years ago when rioters marched on the Capitol Building.

US Vice President Kamala Harris walks through the Rotunda on her way to a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2024 Presidential election. Picture; AFP.

Congress has certified Donald Trump’s election victory swiftly and without incident – drawing a glaring contrast with the scene four years ago when rioters interrupted proceedings after marching on the Capitol Building.

Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the certification of her own election defeat by Donald Trump, declaring on social media that she considered this her “constitutional duty” and a “sacred obligation” to America and its people.

After the results in each state were read aloud, Ms Harris officially declared the result standing next to Speaker Mike Johnson.

“The votes for president of the United States are as follows: Donald J Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D Harris … of the state of California has received 226 votes,” she said.

US Capitol Police officers accompany Senate pages as they carry Electoral College ballot boxes to the House Chamber. Picture: AFP.

Ms Harris then made brief remarks to the press, declaring that it was a “very important day” and it was about “what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted which is that … there will be a peaceful transfer of power.”

“I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath … to support and defend the constitution of the United States,” she said.

“I do believe very strongly that America’s democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it – every single person – their willingness to fight for and respect the importance of our democracy. Otherwise it is very fragile and it will not be able to withstand moments of crisis.”

Four years ago, a mob of thousands of protesters and rioters streamed onto the Capitol Building’s restricted grounds after Mr Trump delivered a speech at Ellipse arguing it was the “most corrupt election in the history, maybe of the world” and claiming that “we won in a landslide.”

“If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore,” he declared. “So we’re going to, we’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. I love Pennsylvania Avenue. And we’re going to the Capitol.”

While Mr Trump encouraged those in attendance to make their voices heard “peacefully and patriotically,” four people in the crowd at the Capitol died on January 6. And, in the weeks after the riot, a further five police officers died.

Kamala Harris presides over a joint session of Congress to ratify the 2024 Presidential election at the US Capitol. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

Posting on his Truth Social platform before the certification, Mr Trump declared that “Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes.”

“Fear not,” he declared, “these ‘orders’ will all be terminated shortly, and we will become a Nation of Common Sense and Strength. MAGA!!!”

Writing in the Washington Post, President Joe Biden said he was “determined to do everything I can to respect the peaceful transfer of power and restore the traditions we have long respected in America.”

“The election will be certified peacefully,” he said. “I have invited the incoming President to the White House on the morning of Jan. 20 and I will be present for his inauguration that afternoon.”

Mr Biden said it was important to remember January 6 2021 every year as a day “when our democracy was put to the test and prevailed. To remember that democracy – even in America – is never guaranteed.”

He argued that on January 6 2021 a group of violent insurrectionists attacked the Capitol, threatened the lives of elected officials and assaulted law enforcement officers. “Any nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it,” he said.