Congress meets Monday to officially confirm Trump’s 2024 victory
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A joint session of Congress is set to convene Monday to officially certify President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 electoral victory, marking a crucial constitutional step in finalizing the election results.
Unlike the chaotic scenes that unfolded four years ago when rioters stormed the Capitol during the 2021 certification, this year’s proceedings are anticipated to be relatively uneventful, though a snowstorm in Washington, DC might affect attendance.
Vice President Kamala Harris faces the uncomfortable duty of presiding over her own electoral defeat, a situation reminiscent of Al Gore’s position 25 years prior.
There is nothing better than watching Kamala Harris announce Donald Trump as the official President of the United States
Drink it in pic.twitter.com/45rbCTgnXw
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 6, 2025
The certification process follows a strict timeline that began with the November 5, 2024 election. States had until December 11, 2024, known as “Safe Harbor Day,” to complete their election certifications. Subsequently, the 538 members of the Electoral College cast their state-by-state votes on December 17, 2024.
The joint congressional session involves representatives from both chambers gathering in the House to count the Electoral College votes. State certificates, transported in specialized mahogany boxes, are unsealed and examined. Two tellers from each party read the certificates aloud in alphabetical order, verifying their authenticity and announcing results.
Congressional members can challenge results, but current rules require one-fifth of each chamber’s support for an objection to be considered – a threshold increased after the 2021 certification chaos. If an objection meets this requirement, separate chamber sessions evaluate the claim, with both chambers needing to approve it by majority vote.
No lawmakers are expected to raise objections meeting the threshold this time. In 2021, Congress rejected challenges to Arizona and Pennsylvania’s results.
The process concludes with Harris announcing final Electoral College totals, including any potential faithless electors. The ceremony’s duration varies, though eight years ago it took just over 30 minutes.
The 2021 certification attempt involved Trump allies proposing alternative electors and urging Vice President Pence to “decertify” results. This plan aimed to potentially reduce the winning threshold below 270 electoral votes and force a House delegation vote, where Republicans held an advantage.
THE LORD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!!!😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/XfIqCQuN96
— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) January 5, 2025
Pence rejected this approach as unconstitutional. Subsequently, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which explicitly limits the vice president’s role and addresses various procedural loopholes.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated Monday’s certification a “National Special Security Event,” ensuring enhanced federal resources are available.
Following certification, Trump’s inauguration will occur in two weeks, marking the official transfer of power. The new 119th Congress, sworn in last Friday, gives Republicans control of both chambers.
