The certification, scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Monday, is usually a symbol of America’s commitment to a peaceful transition of power, despite partisan differences.
But this time it became emblematic of Trump’s extraordinary political comeback and his complete takeover of the Republican Party.
Trump celebrated the moment on Truth Social, writing: “Congress approves our big election victory today – big moment in history.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to proceed with certification despite the weather, telling Fox News, “Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we’re going to be in this room to make sure it gets done.”
Harris, meanwhile, vowed to “fulfill his constitutional duty as vice president to certify the results of the 2024 election.”
“This duty is a sacred duty that I will fulfill guided by love of country, loyalty to our Constitution, and unwavering faith in the American people,” she said in a video statement.
Ordinarily, the vice president would not need to declare such an intention. The US Constitution requires the January 6 presidential election to be certified and for the vice president to observe the vote.
But last time the U.S. Congress met to confirm the election of the U.S. president, the vote was delayed for several hours as rioters fueled by the false belief that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump broke windows, broke through rows of police officers, and smashed the chamber. The US House of Representatives and defeated the office of then Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In a speech in Washington, D.C., that day, before the violence erupted, Trump told the crowd to “fight like hell” but also asked them to “keep calm” so that their voices could be heard.
Lawmakers, including Republicans, were forced to hide in basements, while Capitol staff hid wherever they could find shelter. Trump’s then-Vice President Mike Pence went into hiding as rioters set up a gallows on the Capitol grounds and called for him to be hanged for refusing to inaccurately certify the results in Trump’s favor.
