Congress certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, a sharp contrast to the chaos of January 6, 2021. Under heavy security and wintry weather, lawmakers convened to formalize the results without objections or unrest, symbolizing a return to the norm of peaceful power transitions.

“Today, America’s democracy stood,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, who presided over the session despite her defeat to Trump. Her acknowledgment of the results echoed past examples of bipartisan acceptance, underscoring the resilience of democratic institutions.

The atmosphere was somber yet orderly. Ceremonial mahogany boxes carrying electoral votes were handled with care, a poignant reminder of their hurried protection during the 2021 Capitol attack. The day concluded swiftly, with applause following the tally of Trump’s decisive 312 electoral votes.

While this certification reestablished tradition, questions linger. Trump, who denies his 2020 loss, continues to praise January 6, 2021, as a “day of love” and pledges to pardon those convicted for the siege. As Representative Hakeem Jeffries noted, “The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our democracy.”