Congress Set to Certify President-Elect Donald Trump’s Victory Amid Heightened Security
The certification process is scheduled to begin at 1pm.
This afternoon, Congress will convene to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election, marking the final procedural step before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. This routine joint session will be held under intense security, reflecting the lingering memories of the Capitol attack four years ago.
The certification process, outlined in the Constitution and governed by federal law, involves the vice president presiding over the session as Congress counts the Electoral College votes. Vice President Kamala Harris will fulfill this ceremonial role, overseeing the certification of her own electoral defeat, much like predecessors Richard Nixon, Al Gore, and Joe Biden.
Sealed certificates from each state will be presented, read aloud by bipartisan tellers, and officially tallied. Once the count is complete, the vice president will announce the winner. This time, President-elect Trump’s decisive victory of 312-226 over Harris leaves no room for ambiguity or a potential tie, which would otherwise send the decision to the House of Representatives.
The session follows revisions to the Electoral Count Act, enacted in 2022 to prevent any ambiguity regarding the vice president’s role. These changes clarify that the vice president’s duties are strictly ceremonial, addressing controversies from 2021 when then-Vice President Mike Pence resisted pressure to overturn President-elect Trump’s 2020 election defeat.
The updated law also raised the threshold for objections. Lawmakers must now secure written support from at least one-fifth of both the House and Senate for any challenge to be considered, reducing the likelihood of frivolous objections.
In anticipation of the session, security measures in the nation’s capital have been significantly increased. High fencing and barricades surround the Capitol, and law enforcement agencies are on high alert, ensuring the peaceful transfer of power. The 2024 certification is a designated National Special Security Event, reinforcing precautions to avoid a repeat of the events of January 6, 2021.
While the certification process is unlikely to face disruptions, it serves as a reminder of the tumultuous path leading to this moment. As Harris and Congress prepare to conclude their constitutional responsibilities, the country turns its focus to the next chapter of leadership under President-elect Trump’s administration.