On January 6, 2025, Congress formally certified Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, providing a smooth and uneventful conclusion to the process. Unlike the chaos four years ago, when the Capitol was stormed and the certification was delayed, no objections were raised this time, and the proceedings wrapped up in under an hour.
Vice President Kamala Harris, despite losing to Trump in the election, presided over the session as the president of the Senate. She confirmed the election results after lawmakers read out the certified votes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. With 312 electoral votes, Trump secured a clear win over his opponent, Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. The event contrasted sharply with the events of January 6, 2021, when a violent mob disrupted the certification process, leading to the second impeachment of then-President Trump.
While this year’s certification was orderly, the tensions from the past still lingered. Trump’s unfounded claims of a stolen 2020 election, which fueled the Capitol riot, continue to resonate. Despite these issues, the certification proceeded without incident, with no interruptions or protests. Some lawmakers took the opportunity to reflect on the importance of restoring normalcy and ensuring the peaceful transfer of power.
In a sign of normalcy returning, Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised the victory and emphasized the need for the Republican Party to focus on delivering their legislative agenda. Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence expressed admiration for Harris’s role in presiding over the certification.
Though the certification marked a significant milestone, Trump’s presidency will likely continue to face challenges as the country moves forward into a new era of governance. The smooth certification process, however, gives hope for a less contentious transfer of power in the future.
