Harris readies to certify Trump’s election win – and her decisive defeat
by Alex Gangitano - 01/06/25 6:00 AM ET
Kamala Harris is readying on Monday to certify the 2024 election results, affirming President-elect Trump’s victory as well as her decisive defeat to him after a whirlwind run for commander-in-chief.
After spending much of her campaign warning of Trump’s threat to democracy, Harris, in her role as vice president, will now lead the final step in the election process that will send Trump back to the White House.
She is expected to perform her duty with little fanfare but ultimately, the position puts her in an awkward spot in which her election loss will also be in the spotlight.
Harris, however, is not alone in history. Two vice presidents in recent decades have faced the same predicament — Richard Nixon who was vice president when he lost to John F. Kennedy and Al Gore when he lost to George W. Bush.
“Being put in the position of certifying an election that you lost has to be one of the most difficult and humbling experiences that you could have in public life,” said David Thomas, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Gore. “That said, I would fully expect that Vice President Harris will do her duty and perform it well.”
“Both Nixon and Gore did the same thing here, it’s one of the last things you have to do as vice president… and it’s an incredibly important function for a peaceful transition of power,” he added.
Harris recorded a video message on Monday ahead of the certification, calling the duty “a sacred obligation” and one she will “uphold guided by love of country, loyalty to our Constitution, and my unwavering faith in the American people.” She also said in the message that “our democracy can be fragile.”
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5066655-trump-harris-jan-6/
