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Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world

The US Congress confirmed the victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 election, in a peaceful proceeding that marked a sharp contrast to the violent attempts of his supporters to reverse the victory of Joe Biden four years ago.

The consent of the legislators to TrumpThe victory of Vice-president Kamala Harris will pave the way for her to take office as planned on January 20, cementing a comeback that defied her criminal conviction and the political damage she suffered after her defeat in 2020.

The shadow of the attack on the Capitol four years ago hangs over the event, with tight security in place as the joint session of Congress met But in the event, the only disruption came from heavy snowfall that brought Washington to a standstill, closing federal offices and schools.

Harris presided over the ceremony to cover his election loss, just as Mike Pence, Trump’s vice-president, did four years ago, drawing the ire of his boss and the hatred of much of the Republican base.

“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. Like any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny,” Harris said in a short video. which was posted by X on Monday morning.

Four years later, Trump refused to recognize Biden’s victory, falsely claiming widespread fraud and urging his supporters to “stop the looting” as they gathered on the National Mall on the day of certification.

After their attack on the Capitol that day, some of Trump’s supporters faced criminal charges and convictions for their actions. But the president-elect promised to forgive them who are victims of political persecution.

After leaving office in late January 2021, Trump had an approval rating as low as 39 percent but it is now above 47 percent, according to Fivethirtyeight.com’s polling average.

“CONGRESS SACRIFICED OUR HUGE ELECTION VICTORY TODAY — A BIG SLOW IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account before the proceedings on Capitol Hill. In the November 5 election, Trump defeated Harris by 312 to 226 electoral college votes and 1.5 percentage points in the popular vote.

But Democrats urged Americans not to forget what happened four years ago, calling it one of the darkest days in American political history.

“We cannot repeat the events of January 6 2021. We must always strive to protect our democracy, protect free and fair elections, and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Regardless of our political beliefs, we are all Americans. Violence cannot be the answer to our political differences,” Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said in a statement.

As the count continued Monday, Republicans in the chamber clapped and cheered when the states won by Trump were mentioned, while Democrats applauded Harris’ victories. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hard-line Georgia lawmaker who is close to Trump, stood as her victory was read in the southern battleground.

Republican John Thune, the new Senate majority leader, and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the chamber, sat in the front row on either side of the aisle.

Earlier in the day, a half-foot of snow blanketed Washington, slowing the morning rush. Metro trains run underground with empty seats. Snowshoes crunched across the polished floors of the Capitol, while police walkie talkies crackled with small threats.

“Elected officials across the country have faced a heightened threat environment in recent years, so we’re not taking any chances when it comes to protecting members of Congress,” the chief said. of US Capitol police Thomas Manger said in a statement.