Kamala Harris Plans To Certify Trump’s Election Win: Report
Top Democrats have no plans to challenge the certification of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory on January 6, 2025.
“They also expect that Vice President Kamala Harris will preside over the joint session of Congress to count Trump’s presidential electors in the same manner as her predecessors, taking a passive role in the process and officially recording the state-certified results. The outcome: a straightforward and smooth transfer of power, culminating on January 20 when Trump is sworn into office,” Politico reported, citing discussions with prominent Republicans and Democrats.
“I think you’re going to have a pretty sort of normal transfer, and I think we will respect the wishes of the American people … in contrast to what happened January 6, 2021,” remarked Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the ranking Democrat on the House committee that oversees elections. “I do feel like that’s worth saying over and over again.”
One potential complication could stem from Republican infighting.
Since last week’s turmoil over the spending bill, some conservative lawmakers have expressed doubts about Mike Johnson continuing as speaker.
The House will vote on its leadership on January 3, and a prolonged dispute could delay the certification of Trump’s victory.
When the new Congress convenes, its first order of business is to select a speaker, who will then oversee the swearing-in of members and establish the chamber’s rules.
Johnson seemed poised for a smooth re-election until recently. He had united his fractured conference, quelled critics, and secured enough votes for what he hoped would be his first full term.
However, his handling of budget negotiations and a bipartisan agreement with Democrats sparked backlash from conservatives, with some calling for new leadership. Trump also issued direct warnings about Johnson’s position as speaker.
As anticipated, all Democrats plan to support Leader Hakeem Jeffries. If former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) holds to his promise not to run for office again, Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote.
That scenario is now plausible—Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already stated his intention to vote against Johnson, and several Republicans remain undecided.
A drawn-out speaker fight could stretch on for days, raising uncertainty about whether the House can count Electoral College votes. There’s also no clear plan if the standoff extends beyond January 6.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who previously objected to Trump’s 2017 victory, said he hasn’t heard of any Democrats planning objections this time, emphasizing that Democrats are committed to being “constitutional patriots.”
“I have not actually heard of anybody who intends to vote no,” Morelle added, “and I would certainly discourage it.”
“I’m not intending to do that again because I think that people don’t differentiate,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). She explained, “I think there was a clear difference between what we did and what he does.”
“Harris will be presiding over the certification of her own defeat — a moment that is simultaneously uncomfortable and an ode to the peaceful transfer of power. She’s the third losing candidate to do so in recent history,” Politico observed.
Politico further noted, “The vice president, who serves as president of the Senate, is constitutionally required to fulfill this role, with limited exceptions. In 2000, Al Gore dismissed Democrats’ objections to certify George W. Bush’s victory. In 2016, Biden informed a few dissenting Democrats that it ‘is over’ and facilitated the start of Trump’s first term. And in 2020, Mike Pence withstood intense pressure from Trump — and a violent insurrection — to adhere to tradition.”