The United States Congress certifies the electoral victory of Donald Trump in 2024

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The United States Congress has certified the victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 election, in a peaceful process that marked a sharp contrast with the violent attempt of his supporters to annul the victory of Joe Biden four years ago.

Approval of legislators TrumpThe victory of 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 after his defeat in 2020.

The shadow of the attack on the Capitol four years ago hung over the event, with tight security in place as the joint session of Congress encounter But in the event, the only disruption came from a heavy snowfall that stopped Washington, closing federal offices and schools.

Harris presided over the ceremony to mark his electoral defeat, as Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president, did four years ago, provoking the anger of his leader and the disdain of many in the Republican base.

“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. As much as any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny,” Harris said in a short video posted on X on Monday morning.

Four years ago, Trump refused to recognize Biden’s victory, falsely alleging widespread fraud and encouraging his supporters to “stop the theft” as they gathered on the National Mall on the day of the certification.

After his assault on the Capitol that day, some of Trump’s supporters faced criminal charges and convictions for their actions. But the president-elect promised to pardon them as victims of political persecution.

After leaving office at the end of January 2021, Trump had an approval rating just below 39 percent, but is now above 47 percent, according to Fivethirtyeight.com. voting average.

“CONGRESS CERTIFIES OUR GREAT ELECTRONIC VICTORY TODAY – A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account before the proceedings on Capitol Hill. In the November 5 election, Trump defeated Harris 312 to 226 votes 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,” said Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, in a statement.

As the count proceeded Monday, Republicans in the chamber cheered and cheered when states won by Trump were mentioned, while Democrats applauded Harris’ victories. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hard-line Georgia lawmaker close to Trump, stood up when her victory in the southern battleground state was read.

Republican John Thune, the new Senate majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the chamber, were seated in the front row on either side of the aisle.

Earlier in the day, a half foot of snow covered Washington, undermining the morning rush. Subway 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 an elevated threat environment in recent years, so we can’t take any chances when it comes to protecting members of Congress,” Capitol Police Chief the United States Thomas Manger had said in a statement.