“Democracy Prevails”: Vice President Kamala Harris Certifies Donald Trump’s Return to the White House

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris made a succinct yet powerful declaration to reporters in the Senate chamber when asked about presiding over the certification of the 2024 presidential election: “Democracy prevails.”

Shortly afterward, Harris oversaw Congress’ formal certification of the electoral vote—affirming Donald Trump’s victory and return to the White House.

With hands clasped and a resolute expression, Harris sat through the process as four senators took turns reading out the certified electoral totals from each state. She broke into a wide smile twice: first, when Trump’s electoral vote tally reached the threshold to declare him the next president, and again, when her party gave her a standing ovation as her own vote total was announced.

A Message of Democracy

Harris’ remarks echoed a consistent theme she and her predecessor, President Joe Biden, had championed throughout their campaigns—an unwavering commitment to democracy, freedom, and respect for electoral outcomes. This stood in direct opposition to the events of January 6, 2021, when a violent riot led by Trump supporters resulted in an unprecedented attack on the Capitol after Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 election defeat.

Unlike four years earlier, this certification unfolded as intended: orderly and uneventful, taking just 30 minutes. Missing were the gallows, the noose, and the chants calling for the hanging of the vice president for upholding the electoral outcome. Instead, democracy proceeded, as Harris fulfilled her constitutional duty.

A Decisive Election Outcome

The 2024 election delivered a decisive victory for Trump, who claimed 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226, along with a popular vote win. Trump’s campaign succeeded in dismantling the Democrats’ so-called “blue wall” of key battleground states traditionally crucial to their success.

In contrast to Trump’s refusal to accept his defeat in 2020, Harris conceded the election graciously. A day after the results were clear, she addressed her supporters with words of encouragement and hope:

“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say ... the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”