Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today, January 6th, marks the legally designated day for a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the presidential election – Donald Trump’s victory from two months prior. This year’s certification comes four years after the January 6th insurrection, when then-President Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol following a speech outside the White House. While Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, attempted to hold him accountable for the attack, no such repeat is anticipated today. A major snowstorm has blanketed Washington D.C. and much of the East Coast, roads are severely impacted, and the Capitol is under heavy security. Unlike the 2021 attempt by Republicans to block Joe Biden’s inauguration, no congressional Democrats have indicated any intention to object to Trump’s re-election. The session is scheduled to begin at 1 PM ET, with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding as President of the Senate. Following the certification of Trump’s victory, his inauguration will proceed on January 20th.
Kamala Harris’s Role and Reflections on the January 6th Insurrection:
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the November election, will preside over the certification in her ceremonial capacity as President of the Senate. This mirrors past instances where losing candidates certified their opponents’ victories, such as Al Gore in 2001 and Richard Nixon in 1961. In a video released earlier today, Harris emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power, acknowledging the gravity of the January 6th insurrection four years prior. She stated that her duty to certify the election results is a “sacred obligation,” guided by her love of country, loyalty to the Constitution, and faith in the American people.
Trump’s Legal Proceedings and Response:
Meanwhile, lawyers for Donald Trump have petitioned a New York judge to postpone his Friday sentencing on charges related to falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments. Judge Juan Merchan, while signaling an unlikely jail sentence, scheduled the sentencing for January 10th. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal Merchan’s decision and requested a stay of proceedings pending the appeal. They argue that their appeal automatically triggers a pause in the proceedings, or that the judge should grant one to prevent the sentencing from proceeding as scheduled. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, denounced the sentencing as a “Witch Hunt.”
Biden’s Plea for Remembering the January 6th Insurrection:
In a Washington Post opinion piece, President Biden urged Americans not to forget the violence of the January 6th insurrection. He stressed the seriousness of the attack, highlighting the rioters’ actions, the threats to officials, and the resulting casualties. He reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power and will be present at Trump’s inauguration.
Trump’s Reaction and Republican Legislative Agenda:
On Truth Social, Trump celebrated the upcoming certification of his election victory, proclaiming it a “big moment in history.” He also posted an image seemingly depicting the crowd at his first inauguration, whose size he previously exaggerated. Trump has announced support for a single comprehensive Republican legislative package encompassing key campaign promises, including border security and tax adjustments, signaling a unified GOP approach for the coming months.
Other News:
Seven states across the Midwest and East Coast have declared states of emergency due to a major winter storm. For further updates, please refer to our live blog.