Headline: Biden Calls for Unity, Trump Promises Legal Action as Electoral College Certification Nears
In a dramatic turn of events, President-elect Joe Biden pleaded for unity and healing on Tuesday, a day after lawmakers intending to disrupt the electoral college certification of his victory were urged to abandon their plans by outgoing President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has hinted at taking legal action in response to the violent pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Biden, addressing the nation from Wilmington, Delaware, compared the siege of the Capitol to 1814’s Burning of Washington and stated, "Today was a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile. And to preserve it requires people of good will, leaders with the courage to stand up, who are devoted not to the pursuit of power and personal interest at any cost, but to the common good."
Earlier in the day, Trump, in a private telephone call with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, finally acknowledged that Biden had won the election. However, he maintained that the election was "fraudulent" and vowed to continue pushing his claims. In a tweet, Trump said, "The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors." This statement has been refuted by constitutional experts who argue that Vice President Mike Pence’s role in the certification process is purely ceremonial.
The storming of the Capitol, incited by Trump’s false claims of electoral fraud, led to the evacuation of lawmakers and disrupted the certification process. However, Congress reconvened later that evening and confirmed Biden’s victory at around 3:40 AM EST Wednesday morning.
Pence, in a statement, condemned the violence and declared that he would follow the law and carry out his duty to count the electoral votes. He stated, "I share the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of this election. I, however, do not believe that the Congress has the power to override the results of the election."
In response to the violence, Biden expressed that "It’s time to move Forward — to put away the harsh regard of the past, to lower the temperature, to see each other again, to listen to each other again."
The final certification of the electoral college results by Congress marks the official end of the 2020 presidential election process. As the Biden administration prepares for Inauguration Day on January 20, the question remains: what steps will Trump take next, and will he SF serenades farewell? Only time will tell.
