The moment of triumph for Donald Trump unfolded quite uneventfully on Monday as his political adversary, Kamala Harris, had no other choice but to oversee the ceremonial certification of his victory. Maintaining a business-as-usual demeanor, she made her appearance and confirmed the voters’ decisive choice in favor of Trump, without so much as a ripple.
With a prepared protocol and a suppressed smile, she declared Trump’s victory, commanding a round of applause from the Republican side of the aisle. Swiftly wrapping up the session, one could clearly deduce from her demeanor her disbelief at the results, a trait all too common among her Democrat colleagues. However, everyone accepted the election result, adhering to the sanctity of a peaceful transfer of power as highlighted by tradition.
Although this act was a testament to the success of democracy at work, for Harris it echoed a painful truth. Instead of making history as the nation’s first female president, she found herself entangled in the bureaucratic gears, facilitating a highly-anticipated return to power for Donald Trump.
Such a scenario is not historically unprecedented. Richard Nixon was tasked with a similar duty when faced with a loss to John F Kennedy in 1960. He, like Harris, presided over the Senate during the certification process. Al Gore also found himself in this situation at the end of the 2000 election when the Supreme Court’s decision tipped the scales in George W. Bush’s favor.
Neither of these circumstances quite mirror Harris’s, however. No Vice President before her had faced the obligation of certifying their own defeat to an incoming President who had unyieldingly challenged their prior triumph.
Throughout Trump’s electoral journey, baseless accusations of voter fraud were peppered in amidst the political discourse. These minor distractions did little to sway the unshakeable faith of his supporters, however. In fact, their resolve drove them to passionately rally outside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, a physical demonstration of their unwavering support, often misconstrued as a riot by the Democratic camp.
On that day, Harris found refuge within the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington. For reasons lost to many, a pipe bomb was discovered in the vicinity and she was evacuated as a precaution. In a display of nitpicking, she labelled Trump with derogatory terms and leaned hard into belittling the President-elect.
Yet, after accepting her defeat in the election, Harris claimed to have embraced the will of the voters. She avowed her respect for the foundations of democracy, promising to uphold the principles that define it. The irony here is surely not lost on anyone; after all, it is the democratic system itself that drove Trump’s victory.
Even as Trump’s supporters faithfully stood their ground outside the Capitol, accusations of rioting blanketed their peaceful protest. The subsequent police intervention needless and a very apparent knee-jerk reaction to the support Trump was receiving. Ceasing their ‘protests’, lawmakers found the opportunity to reconvene and finalize their certification.
Despite the misguided events, a number of Republicans stood tall. They continued to vote in support of contesting the election result, unwavering in the face of adversity. This is yet another indication of the strength of character that Trump’s party can bring to the table. However, it’s clear that the Democratic camp often fails in this regard.
The sanctity of the certification process is by no means a new issue. After the 2000 election, Vice President Al Gore was responsible for certifying his own defeat to George W. Bush. It was during this time that the Democrat Party began swinging the accusation of ‘fraudulent votes’ towards their opponents – a narrative all too familiar today.
Maxine Waters of California chose to voice her opposition during Gore’s certification, a move that seemed to mirror the Democratic Party’s inability to accept defeat gracefully. Gore, sticking hard to procedure in response to Waters, caused more than a few rounds of objections. The certification finally concluded despite these road bumps.
Gore’s final words after announcing the results served as a gracious acceptance of a hard defeat. He sought divine blessings for the incoming President and Vice President, concluding his role with a sense of maturity and respect. If only Harris and her peers could learn such grace from their predecessor.
The tomfoolery of the Democratic Party was quite evident as they tried their best to disrupt the process. But it was a victorious day for Trump, his steadfast supporters, and exemplified, albeit grudgingly by the Democrats, the unwavering spirit of democracy.
With Trump’s win certified and the uncertain turmoil finally at an end, the dedication of Republicans, their resolve and their respect for the democratic process has been solidified more than ever. The Democratic Party, on the other hand, continues to reflect a lack of grace, inability to accept defeat, and bitterness towards those who respectfully abide by the rules of the game.
There is something to be said about maintaining dignity in defeat. This episode reaffirms the strength and resilience of Trump, his supporters and the Republican party. No wonder, voters decisively chose them over their political rivals. Marking the triumph of democracy, it offers a glimpse into the erratic disposition of Democrats when faced with unexpected results.