On Monday, Congress will convene to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
This momentous event occurred exactly four years after the Capitol riot, when Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
While this year’s certification is expected to follow a smooth and peaceful process, the January 6, 2021, remnants are still visible in the Capitol complex.
The proceedings will be heavily secured, with the Capitol prepared for any potential unrest.
Homeland Security has labeled January 6, 2025, as a “National Special Security Event” in response to the ongoing tension and memories of the violent attack on the Capitol. The comprehensive security plan directly results from the threat posed by that infamous day in U.S. history.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who will preside over the proceedings, has emphasized the sanctity of her role. In a recent video, Harris described her position as a “sacred obligation,” grounded in a deep commitment to the Constitution and the American people.
Unlike Trump’s actions in 2021, which involved urging the then-Vice President to reject electoral votes and promote false claims of election fraud, Harris has refrained from questioning the election results.
Trump’s election victory certification is expected to avoid the chaos and objections that marred the 2021 proceedings.
Lawmakers gather to certify Trump’s victory as scars of the 2021 Capitol riot remain.
At that time, a faction of Republican senators and a majority of GOP House members raised objections, further complicating the certification process. This time, however, Democrats do not plan to challenge the results, and the event is expected to remain ceremonial, reinforcing the peaceful transition of power.
Yet, the scars of the January 6 riot remain fresh. Hundreds of individuals are still facing legal consequences for their involvement in the attack on the Capitol.
The Justice Department has initiated the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history, prosecuting over 1,580 defendants and securing convictions for around 1,270.
Trump, who was impeached for his role in inciting the violence, has promised to pardon those involved in the riot, a controversial stance that includes potential pardons for rioters who assaulted law enforcement officers.
As the 2024 election certification process unfolds, the nation remains on edge, with heavy security in place and memories of the January 6 insurrection still lingering.
Harris’ presiding role and the peaceful transition of power will starkly contrast the chaos and violence that marked the events four years ago. The nation watches as this historic moment continues to unfold, highlighting the resilience of American democracy.
