In January, the results of Donald Trump’s presidential victory will be officially confirmed by the very individual he triumphed over—Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to the Constitution, the vice president acts as the head of the Senate, making it their responsibility to announce the outcomes of presidential elections.
This key event is set to occur on January 6.
Typically, the process of tallying votes conducted by the vice president is routine and regarded as a final procedural step in the multifaceted journey of electing a new administration.
For instance, following the contentious 36-day recount in Florida during the 2000 elections, Democrat Al Gore conceded to Republican George W. Bush on December 13.
In his duty as vice president, Gore played a role in certifying Bush’s election victory.
“The total number of electors appointed to vote for president of the United States is 538,” Gore stated from the dais, subsequently declaring his own defeat before Congress.
“George W. Bush from Texas received 271 votes for president, while I, Al Gore from Tennessee, secured 266 votes.”
However, a similar scenario nearly spiraled out of control just four years ago.
Trump refused to accept the election results, leading to a tumultuous insurrection at the Capitol while then-Vice President Mike Pence was preparing to confirm Joe Biden’s victory.
Amidst the chaos, Trump supporters chanted threats against Pence as they invaded Capitol offices.
Trump pressured Pence to “do the right thing” by declaring him the winner instead.
For days, Trump and his supporters attempted to persuade Pence that he had the power to reject electoral votes from crucial swing states that favored Biden—despite the clear constitutional understanding that the vice president’s role in this session is largely ceremonial, akin to that of a master of ceremonies.
Pence eventually recognized this limitation and articulated it in a comprehensive statement to Congress.
He elaborated that a vice president does not possess the “unilateral authority” to dismiss states’ electoral votes.
On January 7, 2021, he commenced the joint session of Congress to officially certify Biden’s election.
According to the Constitution, the vice president acts as the head of the Senate, making it their responsibility to announce the outcomes of presidential elections.
This key event is set to occur on January 6.
Typically, the process of tallying votes conducted by the vice president is routine and regarded as a final procedural step in the multifaceted journey of electing a new administration.
For instance, following the contentious 36-day recount in Florida during the 2000 elections, Democrat Al Gore conceded to Republican George W. Bush on December 13.
In his duty as vice president, Gore played a role in certifying Bush’s election victory.
“The total number of electors appointed to vote for president of the United States is 538,” Gore stated from the dais, subsequently declaring his own defeat before Congress.
“George W. Bush from Texas received 271 votes for president, while I, Al Gore from Tennessee, secured 266 votes.”
However, a similar scenario nearly spiraled out of control just four years ago.
Trump refused to accept the election results, leading to a tumultuous insurrection at the Capitol while then-Vice President Mike Pence was preparing to confirm Joe Biden’s victory.
Amidst the chaos, Trump supporters chanted threats against Pence as they invaded Capitol offices.
Trump pressured Pence to “do the right thing” by declaring him the winner instead.
For days, Trump and his supporters attempted to persuade Pence that he had the power to reject electoral votes from crucial swing states that favored Biden—despite the clear constitutional understanding that the vice president’s role in this session is largely ceremonial, akin to that of a master of ceremonies.
Pence eventually recognized this limitation and articulated it in a comprehensive statement to Congress.
He elaborated that a vice president does not possess the “unilateral authority” to dismiss states’ electoral votes.
On January 7, 2021, he commenced the joint session of Congress to officially certify Biden’s election.
