The U.S. Congress is set to meet Monday to certify Donald Trump’s presidential election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
The vice president is in charge of presiding over the count of results from each of the country’s 50 states, putting Harris in the position of certifying her own loss.
The procedure was long a formality in the election process, but four years ago turned to chaos as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, injuring about 140 police officers, vandalizing the building and sending lawmakers rushing for safety.
Similar scenes are not expected Monday, with Harris having conceded defeat and President Joe Biden highlighting the need for a peaceful process.
Authorities have prepared just in case, erecting tall metal barriers around the Capitol complex.
Speaking Sunday at the White House, Biden called what happened on Jan. 6, 2021 “one of the toughest days in American history.”
“We’ve got to get back to the basic, normal transfer of power,” Biden said.
He added that Trump’s conduct four years ago, which included repeated false claims that he won the election, “was a genuine threat to democracy.”
“I’m hopeful we’re beyond that now,” Biden said.
More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection with storming the Capitol. Trump has pledged to quickly issue pardons after he takes office on Jan. 20.
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