US President Donald Trump has pledged an orderly transfer of power, saying the formal affirmation of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory “represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history”.
He, however, insisted that he disagrees with the outcome of the election, even without any evidence of fraud.
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Trump in a statement on Thursday morning said;
Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.
While repeating false claims about the election that incited a mob to storm the Capitol, Trump said;
I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it’s only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again.
Minutes before Trump released the statement, Congress affirmed Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump.
The counting of Vermont’s three electoral votes put Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris over the 270-threshold needed to win the presidency.
US Vice President, Mike Pence said;
The whole number of electors appointed to vote for President of the US is 538, of which a majority is 270. Joseph R Biden, of the state of Delaware received for President of the US, 306 votes. Donald J Trump of the state of Florida has received 232.
The Senate and House rejected objections to throwing out Georgia and Pennsylvania’s electoral votes for Biden.
Republicans also objected to Arizona, Nevada and Michigan’s electoral votes, but the motions failed before they reached debate.
The certification comes after pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol earlier Wednesday. The joint session of Congress, which is normally a ceremonial step, was halted for several hours when rioters breached the Capitol.
Proceedings resumed after the protesters were dispersed with Vice President Mike Pence, bringing the Senate session back into order.
