President-elect Donald TrumpThe country’s victory in the 2024 elections was officially certified by Congress earlier today. vice-president Kamala Harris chaired the joint session, which all major news networks covered live.
“The votes for the election of President of the United States are as follows,” Harris said, confirming that Trump received 312 electoral votes to her 226. Both announcements were interrupted by cheers and applause from members of the candidates’ respective parties. Harris then certified J.D. Vancethe election of the country’s next vice-president.
Vice President Kamala Harris formally announces Congress’ certification of the 2024 election results, finalizing President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. pic.twitter.com/NojIRmhn3G
– CBS News (@CBSNews) January 6, 2025
“This announcement of the status of the vote by the President of the Senate will be considered a sufficient declaration of those elected President and Vice President of the United States,” concluded Harris, who will leave office with the President. Joe Biden on January 20 after Trump’s inauguration.
This short – and peaceful – certification stood in stark contrast to the events of January 6, 2021, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the U.S. Capitol and unleashed a full-scale riot that interrupted an otherwise routine part of the presidential transfer of power. . power. Even though Trump supporters, and the president-elect himself, sought to recast the events of that daynews networks kept this in mind in their coverage.
“It is impossible to ignore… that [Trump’s] The legacy of January 6 definitely looms over this day,” ABC News said. Kyra Phillips while streaming live network coverage. Meanwhile, the network’s cross-platform Jay O’Brien called attention to the fact that four years ago the “first window” was broken by rioters about 20 minutes after today’s election was certified.
According to the Washington PostThe Justice Department has charged approximately 1,580 people with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Trump has already said he intends to pardon many of them, even though polls indicate a majority of America opposes the plan. (Support for mass pardons is more popular among Republican voters and Trump supporters, in particular.)
Before overseeing today’s joint session of Congress, Harris recorded a message that aired exclusively on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy,” she stressed. “Today, at the United States Capitol, I will fulfill my constitutional duty.”
“As we have seen, our democracy can be fragile,” Harris added in a tacit reference to the insurrection of 2021. “And so it is up to each of us to defend our most cherished principles. »
