On January 6, 2025, the United States Congress convened in a joint session to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election, officially confirming Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the session in her constitutional role as President of the Senate, overseeing the formal count of the Electoral College votes. The proceedings unfolded without incident, marking a significant departure from the events of January 6, 2021, when the Capitol was stormed during a similar certification process.
The session commenced at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time in the House Chamber of the Capitol. All 538 certified electoral votes were tallied, with Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, receiving 312 votes, while Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, secured 226 votes. The certification process concluded in under an hour, reflecting a smooth and orderly transition of power.
Vice President Harris, addressing the chamber, stated, “The votes for President of the United States are as follows: Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D. Harris of the state of California has received 226 votes.” Her composed demeanor underscored the resilience of American democratic institutions.
The peaceful certification stood in stark contrast to the events of four years prior. On January 6, 2021, a violent mob breached the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. In response to that insurrection, Congress enacted reforms to the Electoral Count Act in 2022, clarifying the Vice President’s ceremonial role and raising the threshold for objections to a state’s electoral votes.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who had faced pressure to reject electoral votes in 2021, commended Harris’s conduct, stating, “It was particularly admirable that Vice President Harris would preside over the certification of a presidential election that she lost.”
The certification process was conducted under heightened security measures, a legacy of the 2021 attack. Law enforcement agencies coordinated to ensure the safety of lawmakers and staff, and no disruptions were reported.
President-elect Trump, observing the proceedings from his residence in Florida, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. In a statement, he declared, “A big moment in history. MAGA!”
The certification paves the way for Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, marking his return to the presidency after a four-year hiatus. His victory in the 2024 election was attributed to regaining support in key swing states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, and securing the popular vote with 49.9% to Harris’s 48.4%.
As the nation prepares for the upcoming inauguration, the orderly certification process serves as a reaffirmation of the United States’ commitment to democratic principles and the peaceful transfer of power.