The end of the American electoral process is in sight as Joe Bill is set to become the 46th President of the United States, but the last stage is turning out to be the most virulent. The same might be said of the controversy that has trailed the election.
There seems to be no end in sight to the controversy as the supporters of the outgoing President gained entry to the United States Congress building and forced the Senate into recess. Protesters violently took the floor and took the seat just evacuated by VP Pence.
The attack came while Congress voted to certify Joe Biden’s election and the certification process was halted as a result of the invasion.
It would be recalled that a day before he presided over the joint session of Congress, American newspapers report that the VP told President Trump that he did not believe he had power to block congressional certification of Joseph R. Biden’s victory despite the President’s continuous insistence that the VP did have such power.
“The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors,” President Trump had written on Twitter.
However, American legal historians have come out to argue that the President’s position was inaccurate and that it mischaracterised Pence’s largely formal and constitutionally prescribed role of presiding over the House and Senate as they receive and certify the electoral votes conveyed by the states and announce the outcome.
And on Wednesday, Mr. Pence decided to side with the American Constitution as he presided over the session. In the statement he released shortly before the commencement of the certification process, the VP maintained that he does not have the unilateral power to alter the results sent by the states to Congress.
“During the 130 years since the Electoral Count Act was passed, Congress has, without exception, used formal procedures to count the electoral votes every four years.
“Given the controversy surrounding this year’s election, some approach this year’s quadrennial tradition with great expectation and others with dismissive disdain. Some believe that as Vice President, I should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally.
“After a careful study of our Constitution our laws, and our history, I believe neither view is correct,” VP Pence concluded.
Shortly after the statement was released, thousands of President Trump’s supporters violently pushed past police who have been trying to block them from entering the building and took over the VP’s seat at the floor of the Senate.
As the mob breached the security and successfully entered the building, the Vice President was evacuated to an undisclosed location, as have senators and reps.
As the Trump revolution is now devouring its own party members, Republicans who have been worried that some of their voters might not turn out in the January 5 Georgia runoffs, that eventually determined control of U.S. Senate, were proved right as the Democrats won the two available seats.
Observers are of the opinion that the defeat was a poetic justice for a party that has indulged its leader’s mad whims for so long.
The good news is that President Donald Trump will soon leave office. The bad news is that the history of American democracy will never remain the same again.
