President Trump Commits To “Orderly Transition” Of Power After Congress Certifies Electoral College Results
President Donald Trump announced early Thursday that there will be an “orderly transition” of power on Inauguration Day after Congress voted to certify the results of the 2020 election, paving the way for Democrat Joe Biden to be declared the 46th US President.
Despite this, the Republican president stood by his earlier stance on the widespread election irregularities that took place on November 3 denying him a second term in the White House, while committing to Republicans that this “just the beginning” of the fight to “make America great again.”
“Just the beginning” of MAGA
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” President Trump wrote in a statement.
Statement by President Donald J. Trump on the Electoral Certification:
“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. I have always said we would continue our…
— Dan Scavino🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) January 7, 2021
“I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted.”
“While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!” he said.
…fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!”
— Dan Scavino🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) January 7, 2021
President Trump’s statement was released by his Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino on Twitter, after the social media platform suspended the president’s account for 12 hours on January 6 after he appeared to defend his supporters who stormed Capitol Hill saying the act was a consequence of the “stolen” election.
“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long,” he said in a tweet now blocked by Twitter.
Twitter blocking RTs of Trump’s latest pic.twitter.com/pS1TdqJOl5
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) January 6, 2021
Four people reportedly died from the incident — including a woman shot by a police officer. The chaos also resulted in the arrest of 52 individuals, while 14 officers sustained injuries despite repeated calls from President Trump calling for his supporters to remain peaceful.
Later on, he urged them to leave Capitol Hill and “go home in peace.”
Facebook and Instagram also temporarily suspended him from posting on their platforms although it remains unclear when it will be lifted.
Congress votes to certify Biden win
Meanwhile, despite the chaos at the nation’s capital, Congress moved ahead to confirm Biden’s victory with 306 electoral votes or more than the 270 votes needed for him to win.
Biden’s victory is sealed as Congress's electoral count passes the 270-mark at 3:32 a.m. Vermont put him over the top.
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 7, 2021
Vice President Mike Pence presided over the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives to certify the Electoral College vote — saying earlier that his role is “ceremonial” and that he doesn’t have the power to accept or reject votes.
After a six-hour delay due to the standoff between protesters and authorities, the certification was also reportedly delayed while in session after a House Republican and a Senate Republican issued formal objections to the electoral votes cast in Arizona and Wisconsin, prompting Congress to hold debates and a congressional vote on the objection.
Both objections, however, failed in the House and Senate vote.
VP Pence concluded the joint session at 3:44 am, formally drawing a close to the Trump presidency and an elbow bump with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
