Donald Trump achieved a remarkable political comeback on Monday as Congress certified his election victory, marking a dramatic reversal from the chaos of four years ago when a mob, incited by him, stormed the US Capitol.
Trump, who had spent much of his campaign battling legal challenges over the violent January 2021 insurrection, emerged victorious in the November election, despite his false claims of voter fraud. The violence from his supporters had attempted to halt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory, yet Trump’s path to a second term proved far less tumultuous.
The certification ceremony, held in the face of a sweeping winter storm, proceeded smoothly, with Vice President Kamala Harris officially declaring Trump’s victory with 312 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 226. Harris’ words were the final step before Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, will be sworn in on January 20.
Trump’s triumph also marks the end of legal efforts to hold him accountable for the Capitol riot. Prosecutors had previously suggested he led a criminal conspiracy, but all charges were dropped after his election. Additionally, Trump has promised to pardon many of the rioters, some of whom are facing serious federal charges. Meanwhile, President Biden condemned Trump’s allies for downplaying the violence, urging Americans to stand proud of their democracy’s resilience in the face of such an assault.
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