Vice President Kamala Harris, who spent much of her campaign labeling her opponent as a threat to democracy, officially certified President-elect Donald Trump’s landslide victory on Monday, following the November 5 election.
In her dual role as Vice President and President of the Senate, Harris bore the constitutional responsibility of certifying the Electoral College results. Despite the significant defeat, Harris expressed her commitment to fulfilling this duty.
“Today, I will perform my constitutional duty as Vice President to certify the results of the 2024 election,” Harris stated. “This duty is a sacred obligation — one I will uphold guided by love of country, loyalty to our Constitution, and unwavering faith in the American people.”
She added, “The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. As much as any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny.”
President-elect Trump celebrated the certification with a post on Truth Social: “CONGRESS CERTIFIES OUR GREAT ELECTION VICTORY TODAY — A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!”
Unlike the contentious aftermath of the 2020 election—when allegations of fraud and calls to overturn the results dominated headlines—this year’s certification process proceeded without incident. In preparation, Capitol Police established enhanced security measures around the Capitol and other government buildings, aided by additional law enforcement agencies.
While the certification of electoral votes is usually a formal process that garners little attention, its significance has grown in light of past controversies. Trump’s victory this time marks a new chapter, reinforcing the principle of a peaceful transfer of power as the cornerstone of American democracy.
