Congress formally certified Donald Trump’s presidential election victory Monday, exactly four years after his supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block certification of his defeat.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election, presided over the peaceful ceremony as constitutionally required, receiving a standing ovation from Democrats when she read her own electoral vote tally.
Heavy security surrounded the Capitol as lawmakers gathered, with President Joe Biden vowing to prevent any repeat of the 2021 violence that delayed the previous certification for hours.
Trump celebrated on Truth Social, writing: “Congress certifies our great election victory today – a big moment in history.”
The proceedings maintained a striking normalcy compared to four years ago. Harris maintained a sombre expression as she oversaw state-by-state readings of electoral results before declaring their authenticity.
Vice President-elect JD Vance attended alongside Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the few remaining Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in his impeachment trial following the 2021 riot.