Source: Win McNamee / Getty
Congress officially certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, completing the process without any objections or disruptions. The proceedings stood in stark contrast to the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the previous election.
Despite heightened security and a snowstorm in Washington, lawmakers swiftly carried out their constitutional duty to certify the results. The moment carried historical weight, as Trump—who had previously sought to challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election—secured a legitimate return to the presidency.
Vice President Kamala Harris, fulfilling her role in the certification process, read the final electoral tally, which included her own loss.
The chamber responded with applause—first from Republicans as Trump’s 312 electoral votes were announced, followed by Democrats acknowledging Harris’ 226.