US Congress, Harris Certify Trump's Election Victory Without Challenge

The US Congress formally certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump's election victory on Jan 6 during a session presided over by Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris, who lost the November contest.

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The quadrennial ritual, clearing the way for Trump's inauguration in two weeks, went like clockwork and stood in sharp contrast to four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block the certification of then-President Trump's 2020 loss to the Democrat's pick Joe Biden.

Trump continues to falsely claim that his 2020 defeat was the result of widespread fraud and had warned throughout his 2024 campaign that he harbored similar concerns until his Nov 5 win over Ms Harris.

Ms Harris oversaw the roll call of the states in the vice-president's ceremonial role as president of the Senate.

Known for her broad smile and upbeat demeanor in public appearances, she stood stoic with hands clasped on the dais as she handed off certificates of each state's electoral votes for Trump and herself.

"Today was obviously a very important day, and it was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted, which is that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power," Ms Harris told reporters at the Capitol.