In a historic and emotional moment, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to oversee the certification of her defeat to Donald Trump. This is happening four years after Trump attempted to stop the very process that will now see him return to the White House.
In a heartfelt video message, Harris called her role a “sacred obligation” to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. She emphasized the fragility of democracy, reminding us all that it’s our responsibility to protect the values that matter most.
Her role is not a first. In the past, other vice presidents have had to preside over the certification of their own losses. Richard Nixon did it after his loss to John F. Kennedy in 1960, and Al Gore followed suit in 2000 after the Supreme Court decided the election in favor of George W. Bush. But this situation is different. This time, Harris will be presiding over the certification of an election where her opponent, Trump, not only refused to concede but also spread false claims of voter fraud.
The tension around the certification process is something Harris knows all too well. On January 6, 2021, while Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Harris was at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, where a pipe bomb was found nearby, prompting her evacuation.
During her campaign, Harris warned voters about the dangers of a Trump return, describing him as a “petty tyrant” and “wannabe dictator.” Despite losing the election and her bid to become the first female president, she promised in her concession speech to honor the will of the voters. She famously stated, “A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results.”
Thankfully, no disruptions are expected during this certification process. A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, Karoline Leavitt, reassured the public, saying there would be “a smooth transition of power,” adding that Trump would work to unite the country after his victory.
While the scene is expected to be calm this time, we can’t forget the chaos from 2021. Back then, Trump tried to pressure his vice president, Mike Pence, into disqualifying votes from key states based on unfounded fraud claims. When Pence refused, the Capitol was attacked, forcing lawmakers into hiding. Trump even criticized Pence for not doing what he believed was necessary.
In the aftermath, Pence spoke out, calling Trump’s actions reckless and dangerous. “I had no right to overturn the election,” he said. “And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day.”
Though Trump faced legal consequences for his actions to cling to power, some cases, like the federal investigation into his conduct, were dropped due to the Justice Department’s policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. There are still ongoing legal battles related to his attempts to subvert the election results in Georgia.
The most recent example of a vice president certifying their loss dates back to the 2000 election. Al Gore, who lost to George W. Bush, presided over a contentious process where some Democrats objected to the Florida results. Despite objections, Congress completed the certification, and Gore famously ended the process by saying, “May God bless our new president and new vice president and may God bless the United States of America.” This was followed by a standing ovation.
This marks another moment in American history where the peaceful transition of power remains a vital and sacred part of our democracy. Harris’s role today is not just a ceremonial task but a powerful reminder of the strength of our democracy, even in challenging times.