The heavy snow that fell overnight smothered everything, covering the Capitol in a veil of unreal innocence. Four years after Donald Trump's supporters stormed the sacred site of American democracy, to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's victory in 2021, the same procedure took place without a hitch on Monday, January 6. One by one, state representatives took to the podium to confirm that their list of electors appeared to be "regular in form and authentic." The final count unsurprisingly confirmed Trump's official victory over Kamala Harris (312 to 226).

The vice president, who was leading the proceedings as per the Constitution, maintained a seemingly detached, formal air. "I do believe very strongly that America's democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it," she told reporters. During this transition of power, which is about to come to an end, the Democrats have sought to set an example, reestablishing a form of political normalcy and civility. In 2001, Al Gore, Bill Clinton's vice president, who had also been defeated in the presidential election, didn't shirk his responsibility either. He underwent the same internal torture as Harris, confirming George W. Bush's triumph, despite the highly controversial Florida vote count.

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