In one of her final acts as the 49th vice president, Kamala Harris oversaw the ceremonial certification of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory — and her soul-crushing loss — in the 2024 election.
The humbling task marked the official close of a tumultuous election cycle in which Ms. Harris initially energized Democrats after being subbed in for the aging President Biden 100 days out from the election. She anchored her campaign on the warning that Mr. Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election — and the ensuing attack on the U.S. Capitol — proved he was a threat to democracy.
On Monday, Ms. Harris’ job required her to preside over a joint session of Congress and proclaim her scorned political rival as the winner.
“The votes for president of the United States are as follows: Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes,” Ms. Harris said, standing on the elevated House dias, eliciting a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers and a smile from Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sat beside her.
She banged the gavel twice and continued: “Kamala D. Harris, of the state of California, has received 226 votes,” she said, sparking applause from the Democrats in the chamber.
Ms. Harris’ once bright political future remained murky as she stood center stage Monday along with Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican and Trump ally.
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The 60-year-old’s hands were clasped as members of Congress announced the final electoral vote tallies from states, including states that she carried over Mr. Trump. But all seven “swing” states, where the two candidates did almost all their campaigning and which decided the election, went for Mr. Trump.
“I don’t have the words for beyond irony,” said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University who has followed Ms. Harris’ political career. “The fact that you have to certify a constitutionally mandated process while there is a pit in your stomach and a hole in your heart — and probably a headache — you have all of that going on in this.”
The focus on the largely perfunctory role of the vice president was heightened because of the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when Mr. Trump pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to stop the certification of the election for Mr. Biden, which he insisted was stolen.
Angry with Mr. Pence’s refusal to fall in line and disappointed with the election results, a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol and, at the time, Mr. Trump was generally thought to be politically a dead man walking.
But he proved the naysayers wrong, mounting one of the biggest comebacks in presidential history.
After the ceremony, Ms. Harris said it was a “very important day” for democracy.
“One of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power, and today I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath that I have taken many times to support and defend the constitution of the United States,” she said.
“I do believe very strongly that America’s democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it,” the vice president said. “Otherwise, it is very fragile, and it will not be able to withstand moments of crisis, and today, America’s democracy stood.”
As reporters began asking Ms. Harris, “What is next for you?” she left.
Ms. Harris could run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 2028, but her loss to Mr. Trump and her memorable flameout in the 2020 primary will haunt her.
She could have more luck running for governor in California, where she served as state attorney general and a member of the U.S. Senate.
Ms. Harris has faced a constant barrage of criticism since the November election, including over her stunted delivery on the stump, where her detractors ridiculed her for “world salads.”
It happened again Friday after she flubbed the pledge of allegiance at the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected senators.
“I pledge allegiance to the United States of America,” she said before trailing off, having skipped “to the flag of.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.