Staff Reports
The recent events surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming certification process have left some Democrats simmering, but there’s not much they can do besides stew in their own juices. Thanks to the new Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, the once-easy task of throwing a wrench into the certification machinery has become a Herculean endeavor. The days of a single self-righteous congressperson being able to derail proceedings are over; now it takes a full 20% of lawmakers from both chambers to muster a challenge. Good luck to anyone trying to herd that many cats in the current political climate.
This week’s congressional convening is expected to unfold with little drama. While some Trump critics outside the chambers may bemoan the fact that they can’t disrupt the certification of Trump’s latest victory, it appears cooler heads will prevail inside the Capitol. Democratic lawmakers, deeply aware of the consequences of being called hypocrites, are opting for a quieter approach — despite their long history of objecting to GOP wins. It seems their collective strategy now hinges on trying to remember that they’re not “election deniers” as they navigate the electoral landscape they once claimed they owned.
The stringent new legislation, passed in the wake of the chaos seen during the 2021 Capitol riot, serves as a fortress against Democratic dissent. The act not only tightened the reigns on challenges but also enshrined the vice president’s role in the process as strictly ceremonial. Yep, it’s official: Mike Pence won’t be getting any more invitations to an after-party where he’s expected to sabotage election results. This alteration comes after the infamous incident that brought shame and confusion to Washington, D.C. — an event that left everyone questioning how many times the word “insurrection” could be tossed around without losing its meaning.
Quiet Riot: Joint session to confirm Trump’s win set to go smoothly this timehttps://t.co/yFdwKmJnXb pic.twitter.com/tplxWPZnAw
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 6, 2025
To ensure the certification of Trump’s win goes off without a hitch, security has been ramped up beyond what could be deemed reasonable, including the deployment of 500 National Guard soldiers alongside a fortress of fencing and ready-to-act police forces. Capitol Police have promised a vigilant watch over this National Special Security Event, determined not to allow any repeat performances of the 2021 theatrics. It seems lawmakers will not have the luxury of aiming any fireworks at the process this time, as they’ll be hemmed in on all sides by layers of security.
Notably absent from protest planning are Democrats, a party that has long made a habit of challenging GOP wins under the flimsiest of pretenses. Previous years have seen endless quiet snickers from the left as they objected to every Republican president since the dawn of the millennium. But as they face the reality of honoring Trump’s certified electoral victory, they find themselves locked in a credibility death grip, fully aware of the warning label on the hypocrisy jar. Perhaps it’s time for Democrats to move on from “opposing everything” to actually finding a role in a government that is finally ready to honor the results of a legitimate election. Meanwhile, Trump continues to bask in his well-secured victory, leaving those still pondering how to impede it stranded in a sea of frustration.
