US politicians have finally certified Joe Biden’s presidential election victory after a long and shocking day which saw mobs overrun Congress in support of Donald Trump.
Congress formally confirmed the 2020 election result about 3:40 am on Thursday local time, in what was the final administrative step before Mr Biden enters the White House later in January.
Mr Trump issued a statement through a White House staffer just minutes after the victory was certified, in which he pledged an “orderly transition” on 20 January when Mr Biden will be sworn into office.
“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,” the president said through his staffer Dan Scavino on Twitter.
“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!”
It came hours after rioters angry at Mr Trump’s defeat broke down barricades and swarmed inside the Capitol, forcing a delay in the certification process as politicians were evacuated and police fired tear gas.
Debate would later stretch into the early hours of Thursday.
The Senate and the House of Representatives rejected two objections to the tally, certifying the final Electoral College vote with Mr Biden receiving 306 votes and Mr Trump receiving 232 votes.
Declaring the final vote totals behind Mr Biden’s victory, Vice President Mike Pence said this “shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States”.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take office alongside Mr Biden on 20 January.
The outcome of the certification proceedings had never been in doubt, but had been interrupted by rioters – spurred on by Mr Trump – who forced their way past metal security barricades, broke windows and scaled walls to fight their way into the Capitol.
Security agents drew weapons inside the House chamber during a dangerous standoff that left politicians fearing for their lives.
Undeterred, they later reentered their chambers to finish the vote count under heavy security, with House speaker Nancy Pelosi saying they would stay “as long as it takes”.
Mr Pence gaveled the Senate back into session, calling it a “dark day”.
Police said four people died during the chaos – one from gunshot wounds and three from medical emergencies – and 52 people were arrested.
The assault on the Capitol was the culmination of months of divisive and escalating rhetoric around the 3 November election, with the Republican president repeatedly making false claims that the vote was rigged and urging his supporters to help him overturn his loss.
With Reuters, AFP.
