Democrats to GOP: That's how you certify an election
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House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President Harris in the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2025. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images.
Coming out of the House chamber Monday after certifying President-elect Trump's 2024 victory, Democrats argued that their party set an example by allowing the process to go smoothly and peacefully.
Why it matters: The uneventful 30-minute proceedings reversed a precedent in recent election cycles of members of Congress trying to object to elector slates for the opposing party's presidential candidate.
- In 2017, several House Democrats tried unsuccessfully to object to Trump's electors.
- In 2021, a much more organized effort to overturn the election resulted in votes on certifying the Arizona and Pennsylvania electors — and the deadly riot targeting the U.S. Capitol.
What they're saying: "Obviously there was a huge difference between this Jan. 6 and the other Jan. 6 ... We hope that'll be a good example for years to come," said Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.).
- House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) said the public should "take note: This is how the peaceful transfer of power has happened for 250 years."
- "The anomaly of the last four years cannot be repeated," Morelle said, adding that Democrats "respect the democratic institutions even when they're not in our favor."
- Said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.): "We were acting as Constitutional patriots, and this is exactly what the peaceful transfer of power should look like."
What we're hearing: Despite most Democrats echoing that line, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), the chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, stressed that the messaging did not come from leadership.
- "Most of us are feeling the same way. We're all talking to each other, there's a lot of 'peaceful transfer,' and 'it's our job to make sure the American people see.'"
- "There's nobody saying [to members], 'Be on that same page,'" she added.
Between the lines: Monday's proceedings were an intensely bitter pill for Democrats to swallow, with Vice President Harris — Democrats' candidate against Trump — charged with certifying her opponent's victory.
- Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) said her wish is that Democrats set a precedent, but she told Axios she is "not that hopeful, even though ... I try to have a glass that is half full."
- "Seeing the attitudes of Republicans sitting across the aisle from me, smirking — this was a serious ceremony. They were acting like juveniles," she added, arguing Republicans were "rewarded for their bad behavior" with their election win.
The other side: Several Republicans who spoke to Axios pointed to Democrats objecting to Trump's 2016 electors and former President Bush's in 2004 — with some also arguing that election objections aren't necessarily a negative thing.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said members of Congress "should have the right to object. We should have the right to look into every part of an election."
- "The right exists. It's there. Who am I to take it away," said Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.).
