The American Congress certified, this Monday, January 6, Donald Trump’s victory in the November presidential election. It was his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, who proclaimed his success, in her capacity as President of the Senate.
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The protocol was intended to be somewhat ironic. A few weeks ago, Kamala Harris And Donald Trump were engaged in a fierce battle in the race for the White House. This January 6, the first, soundly beaten last November, certified the victory of the second. A mission that fell to her, as president of the Senate of UNITED STATES.
With an even voice, a calm face and even a smile at times, Kamala Harris confirmed the clear victory of Donald Trump in front of American parliamentarians gathered in Congress. There is no false note for this procedural operation, usually purely formal, but which has taken on a completely different dimension since then. the assault on the Capitol : four years ago to the day, the supporters of the former and now future Republican president then sought to prevent this same certification, to block the path to Joe Biden.
A certification at odds with the violence of January 6, 2021
The Democratic vice-president, defeated on November 5, counted the electors out loud. The majority was set at 270 to win in this ballot by indirect universal suffrage. Kamala Harris, standing at the podium, recorded her own defeat: “ Donald J. Trump, from the state of Florida, received 312 votes. » The Republican elected officials stood up to applaud. The Democrat paused briefly, then continued: “ Kamala D. Harris of California received 226 votes. » This time, the elected officials from her camp cheered her.
Kamala Harris had a much calmer day than that of her predecessor in 2021. Mike Pence, vice-president during Donald Trump’s first term, had certified Joe Biden’s victory, despite calls from the Republican billionaire not to do so. do, arguing that the election had been ” stolen “. In the process, and under the leadership of Trump himself, Republican supporters stormed Congress, shouting “ Hang Mike Pence » and ravaging the place; four people were killed in these unrest, and four police officers committed suicide in the days and weeks after the attack.
The moment was not troubled this year. Under the eyes of J.D. Vancefuture American vice-president all smiles, Kamala Harris endorsed Donald Trump’s victory. On the social platform X, Mike Pence said he found “ particularly admirable that Vice President Harris is presiding over the certification of a presidential election she lost » and greeted the “ return of order and citizenship “.
“ Today, American democracy has held »
“ The strength of American democracy lies in our will to fight » for her, Kamala Harris commented to the press after the certification. “ Without this, it is very fragile, and it will not withstand moments of crisis. And today, American democracy held », added the outgoing vice-president.
If the events of January 6, 2021 had shocked the United States and the world, the traces in the minds of Americans are gradually disappearing. A majority of voters did not hold it against Donald Trump when they voted on November 5. Joe Biden, president for a few more days, however called on Sunday not to “ forget ” Or ” rewrite » which constituted a “ real threat to democracy “.
Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated for his second term on January 20, however warned in December: from “ first day » Upon his return to the White House, he will examine potential pardons for his supporters who stormed the Capitol, more than a thousand of whom have been convicted by the courts. Such a decision would shock the Democratic camp, but also among certain police officers present and injured four years ago. Aquilino Gonell, retired police officer and fierce opponent of Donald Trump during the campaigndeclared in a column at New York Times : “ I sometimes wonder why I risked my life to defend elected officials from a mob motivated by Mr. Trump, all to see him return to power stronger than ever. »