Congress officially certified Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, concluding the formal process to affirm the 2024 electoral results.
The ceremony, conducted in the U.S. Capitol, involved reviewing and validating the electoral votes submitted by each state to ensure their authenticity.
The session began at 1 p.m. ET, with lawmakers verifying that Trump had secured 312 electoral votes alongside his running mate, JD Vance.
Their Democratic opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris and Representative Tim Walz, garnered 226 electoral votes. The results reflected Trump’s decisive win, paving the way for his return to the White House after his 2020 defeat.
The certification followed a meticulous process in which states presented their electoral votes in alphabetical order, beginning with Alabama and concluding with Wyoming.
#BREAKING: 🇺🇸 President Trump and JD Vance have been officially certified by Kamala Harris.
Follow: @resistupdates pic.twitter.com/dNE6YjPuDU
— Resist Times (@resistupdates) January 6, 2025
In a symbolic twist, Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over the session in her capacity as Senate President, oversaw the certification of her own loss to Trump.
For each state, a designated lawmaker reviewed the electoral certificate and announced that the votes “seem to be regular in form and authentic.” They then formally recorded the allocation of votes for each presidential candidate.
Adding a layer of complexity to the historic event, Washington, D.C., was hit by an unusually heavy snowstorm just ahead of the certification. The storm prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson to caution lawmakers against leaving the capital over the weekend.
“We’ve got a big snowstorm coming to D.C.,” Johnson stated on Saturday, “and we encourage all of our colleagues: do not leave town. Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making sure this is done.”
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Congress remained steadfast in fulfilling its constitutional duty, underscoring the importance of a seamless transfer of power.
The certification marked a historic moment in American politics. Not only does it reaffirm Trump’s electoral win, but it also underscores the resilience of the democratic process amidst ongoing challenges.
For many, the sight of Vice President Harris presiding over the certification of her defeat was a powerful demonstration of the nation’s commitment to democratic norms.
Harris, who served as the first woman and woman of color in the vice presidency, expressed her determination to carry out her duties with dignity and respect.
Watch Live:
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
