Who expected this?
Four years ago this week, former Vice President Mike Pence was evacuated from the Capitol as violent rioters stormed the building, attempting to block the certification of the 2020 election results. This chaotic and tragic episode in our nation’s history serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining order and upholding our constitutional principles.
In a sharp contrast to that turmoil, Pence recently welcomed what he described as “the return of order and civility” as Congress certified the victory of President-elect Donald Trump for the 2024 election. In a post on X, Pence emphasized that the peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of our democracy, adding that “today, members of both parties in the House and Senate, along with the Vice President, certified the election of our new president and vice president without controversy or objection.”
Pence also took the opportunity to commend those who upheld their constitutional duties throughout the process, praising both Republican and Democrat members of Congress who ensured the integrity of the election was respected. Notably, he acknowledged Vice President Kamala Harris, who presided over the certification, despite her own personal defeat to President Trump. “It is particularly admirable that Vice President Harris would preside over the certification of a presidential election that she lost,” Pence remarked.
The certification process on Monday stood in stark contrast to the chaos of 2021 when Trump supporters, fueled by baseless claims of election fraud, attempted to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. After weeks of unfounded accusations, President Trump pressured Pence to block the results, a demand the former Vice President rightly rejected, reaffirming his belief in the Constitution and the proper functioning of American democracy.
This year’s certification proceeded without incident, reaffirming the stability and resilience of our system, even in the face of tremendous pressure. It was a clear reminder of why America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy across the world.