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WASHINGTON — The 2024 election certification of Donald J. Trump, overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris today, marks a pivotal moment in the democratic process. The ceremony in the historic U.S. Capitol has captured national attention as Americans hope for a peaceful transition of power after the violence four years ago.

This year’s certification process is occurring under extraordinary security measures. These measures respond to the January 6, 2021, Capitol storming by Trump supporters in an unprecedented democratic assault.

Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 Presidential election and his unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud spurred the riots. The violence left multiple people dead, including police officers and dozens injured. Trump has still not formally acknowledged his defeat in the 2020 election. This refusal has cast a long shadow over the nation’s political discourse.

Heightened Security for 2024 Election Certification and Inauguration

The U.S. Capitol is operating under a fortress-like security posture as lawmakers prepare to certify the 2024 Presidential election results. Workers have erected multiple layers of fencing around the Capitol grounds, including the west front, a flashpoint during the prior attack.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police and National Guard, have intensified their presence, with heightened vigilance to ensure the proceedings occur without disruption. Officials emphasized that these measures, while precautionary, highlight a renewed commitment to safeguarding democracy in a politically charged climate.

The security plans also extend to upcoming national events, including the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump and tributes to the late President Jimmy Carter, underscoring the Capitol’s central role in American political life.

2024 election certification
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 2: The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible as a U.S. Capitol Police officer reopens a pedestrian area after a driver was arrested for driving erratically and drove onto the grass near the Capitol Hill Reflecting Pool on January 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Police are on high alert with major national special security events this month, including the January 6th, 2025, vote count to certify the 2024 election certification, Inauguration Day, and a ceremony for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol’s rotunda. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Trump’s Pardon Plans for January 6 Defendants

Donald Trump has pledged to pardon many of the January 6 defendants but has provided few details about how these pardons will be issued. Over 1,580 individuals have been charged, with more than 660 receiving prison sentences, including former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Trump’s approach to pending cases, especially for those accused of assaulting law enforcement, remains unclear.

Ongoing Debate Over January 6 Legacy

The legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack continues to divide the nation. President Biden has urged lawmakers to “tell the truth” about the attack, while Trump and his allies have shifted their rhetoric, downplaying the events. Federal judges and investigators warn against rewriting history as the judicial system processes cases related to the attack.

Nehemiah D. Frank is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Black Wall Street Times and a descendant of two families that survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Although his publication’s store and newsroom...

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