Staff Reports
January 6 has arrived again, and for Democrats, it’s a day steeped in solemnity and drama. If they had their way, they would surely decree that all flags be flown at half-staff in honor of what they consider their losses. In stark contrast, Republicans recognize this date as a moment of clarity—a day when Democrats shed their thin veneer of commitment to democracy and openly displayed their true colors, particularly in the shadow of a Biden presidency that saw the federal government wielded like a weapon against its opponents. This year’s iteration of January 6 carries the potential for a seismic shift, one that could propel Kamala Harris into a status befitting martyrdom within her party.
In an event that only occurs on rare occasions, Vice President Kamala Harris dutifully certified the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. This historical act has only happened twice before in modern politics—when Richard Nixon attested to John F. Kennedy’s victory in 1961 and when Al Gore certified George W. Bush’s win in 2000. While such ceremonial duties are usually uncomfortable, for Harris, this could either be career-defining or career-destroying. If the winds blow favorably, it might even elevate her to martyr status among her beleaguered Democratic allies.
One of the stark realities facing the Democratic Party today is the lack of a coherent identity. This crisis of identity was highlighted in a recent poll revealing Harris with a significant lead as a potential candidate for 2028, sitting at 35 percent against Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s meager 12 percent. With names like Gavin Newsom trailing in the single digits, Harris’s position seems more like a product of a scarcity of viable candidates rather than genuine popularity. This moment in political history offers her two paths: a run for the presidency or a softer landing back in the California governorship, which could allow her to coast rather than actively compete.
American sentiment has shifted distinctly away from the age of identity politics. Voters are ready to see a revival of meritocracy, determined by capability rather than characteristics like race or gender. In this landscape, Kamala Harris embodies everything Democrats thrive on in their fixation for “oppressed” narratives. Her presence at the certification ceremony could serve to paint her as a figure oppressed by the need to validate the rise of Donald Trump, further entrenching her status in the victimhood hierarchy that the party cherishes.
Will Certifying Trump Victory Elevate Kamala Harris to Democrat Party Martyrdom?https://t.co/0RUHpbDmi4
— RedState (@RedState) January 6, 2025
Speculation abounds about whether Kamala might have opted to skip the certification altogether—something that has precedent, as evidenced by Hubert Humphrey’s absence during Nixon’s second-term confirmation in 1969. However, for today’s Democrats, the allure of playing the victim is undeniably potent. Just by being thrown into a situation where she certifies the election loss to Trump, Harris has an opportunity to claim the moral high ground. This theatrical episode could lead to a narrative shift, transforming her into an emblem of resilience and victimization, allowing her to sidestep any accountability for her party’s recent debacles.
As Harris shared a video on social media about her “sacred obligation,” Trump posted his own commentary celebrating the moment, showcasing the difference in tones between the two camps. With a notable lack of compelling narratives from Democrats, Donald Trump’s certification of victory might well herald the emergence of Kamala Harris as the newest symbol of resilience and potential redemption for a party in dire need of revitalization.
