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On Monday (January 6), members of Congress gathered in Washington, D.C., to certify President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election. The event is taking place under heightened security, with temporary fencing surrounding the Capitol as a snowstorm blankets the city.
The session will be officiated by Vice President Kamala Harris, who will preside over the joint session of Congress. Despite the historical significance of the date, the certification process is expected to be uneventful, with no anticipated protests or procedural objections. Democrats, who were frustrated by Trump's 312-226 Electoral College victory, accepted the results without challenge.
The certification process is being conducted under a "national special security event" designation, with Capitol Police and the Secret Service ensuring safety measures were in place. The certification marks the beginning of the peaceful transfer of power, with Trump's inauguration set for January 20.
This certification comes exactly four years after the January 6, 2021, riot, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building, bringing the proceedings to a halt. After several hours, order was restored, and Congress reconvened to certify President Joe Biden's victory.
President-elect Trump has promised to pardon many of the individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack during his first hour in office.