Vice President Kamala Harris is set to fulfill her role today in presiding over a joint session of Congress to certify the 2024 presidential election, which she lost to President-elect Donald Trump.
The day also marks four years since Trump supporters rioted at the US Capitol, claiming the 2020 election was stolen from the then-president, marking the first time the peaceful transfer of power was almost disrupted.
In a pre-recorded video message, which was shared with The Hill, the vice president talked about the peaceful transition of power and its importance to upholding our nation.
“The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most fundamental principles of American democracy. As much as any other principle, it is what distinguishes our system of government from monarchy or tyranny,” Harris reportedly says in the video.
“Today, at the United States Capitol, I will perform my constitutional duty as Vice President of the United States to certify the results of the 2024 election. This duty is a sacred obligation—one I will uphold guided by love of country, loyalty to our Constitution, and my unwavering faith in the American people,” she added. “As we have seen, our democracy can be fragile. And it is up to each of us to stand up for our most cherished principles.”
Harris will now be the third vice president in recent history to certify their own election loss. The list includes Vice President Al Gore, who lost to George W. Bush, and President Richard Nixon, who lost to President John F. Kennedy.
The Jan. 6, 2021, riots have become an often-mentioned criticism of President-elect Trump, resulting in a House investigation and even federal charges, though they were dropped following his election win.
Harris and President Joe Biden used the moment while campaigning for office, arguing that Trump wouldn’t be willing to accept this term as his final should he win.