VP Harris, Congress Certify Trump's Election

President-elect Donald Trump's (R) election victory has officially been certified during a Joint Session of Congress in the House of Representatives. The session was presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris (D), a rare moment in which a vice president has to certify their own election loss.

President Trump won the race with 312 electoral votes compared to VP Harris's 226 electoral votes. He only needed 270 electoral votes to claim victory.

During the election, Trump won all seven battleground states (Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) and the popular vote by more than two million votes. Trump is the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004, and only the second GOP candidate to win the popular vote since 1988.

Moreover, according to The New York Times, more than 89% of all counties in the United States moved more to the right in favor of Trump compared to 2020.

Contrary to the 2020 election certification process, there were no objections or disorder at the Capitol.

On Jan. 3, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) retained the gavel as he was reelected to the position. Had there been objection to his speakership or a delay to the selection of a speaker, it could've been a massive roadblock not only for Republicans in the lower chamber but for Trump.

If the 119th Congress had not elected a speaker by Jan. 6, the certification of President-elect Trump's victory could've been carried out following the election of a "temporary speaker" or an outright delay of the certification process entirely.

Speaker Johnson needed 218 votes or a simple majority and could only afford one defector, depending on the math if there were present/non-voting members. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted for Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN). Every Democrat voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

While Trump did not comment on the certification, he released a message on Truth Social, calling out President Joe Biden (D) for interfering with the transition of power in the Executive Branch.

"Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as as possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes. Fear not, these 'Orders will all be terminated shortly, and we will become a Nation of Common Sense and Strength. MAGA!!!" said Trump.

President-elect Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20.

Jackson Bakich

Jackson Bakich is based in Tallahassee. Born in Orlando but raised in Lake County, Florida, Jackson Bakich is a graduate of Florida State University. Growing up in the Sunshine State, Bakich co-hosted the political talk radio show "Lake County Roundtable" (WLBE) and was a frequent guest for "Lake County Sports Show" (WQBQ). Currently, he is the Sports Editor of the FSView and the co-host of "Tomahawk Talk" (WVFS), a sports talk radio program covering Florida State athletics in Tallahassee. Jackson's work has been cited in Newsmax, POLITICO and other media outlets.