At a joint session of Congress this afternoon, lawmakers certified President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. The process was peaceful, quick and uneventful. It stood in stark contrast to this day four years ago, when the basic ritual of democracy was disrupted by a violent pro-Trump mob seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
In the Capitol today, there was no hint of a similar scene, although tall, black metal fencing around the building was a reminder of the violence that had played out. Unlike Trump back then, Kamala Harris — who had the awkward duty of presiding over the certification — did not dispute her loss. And unlike Republicans four years ago, Democrats made no objections during the counting of the Electoral College votes.
Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president who had received death threats for his role in certifying the 2020 election, praised the “return of order and civility.”
President Biden has largely focused on ensuring a smooth and orderly transition of power. But last night, he warned Americans not to forget the violent attack at the Capitol and accused Trump and his supporters of trying “to rewrite — even erase — the history of that day.”
Trudeau said he would resign as Canada’s prime minister
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announced today that he would step down as Liberal Party leader and prime minister. He shut down Parliament until March 24, giving his party a few months to pick his replacement through a party election. Until then, Trudeau will remain the country’s top leader.
The resignation arrived after he faced weeks of mounting pressure from inside his own party. Once a liberal icon, Trudeau has become deeply unpopular: In a recent poll, 73 percent of Canadians said he should step down.
The U.S. released 11 Guantánamo prisoners
The U.S. military today sent 11 Yemeni men who had been detained for two decades at Guantánamo Bay to Oman. The transfer left just 15 men in the prison, fewer than at any other point since the detention center opened. Three other prisoners are eligible for transfer, including a stateless Rohingya, a Libyan and a Somali.
There were 40 detainees when President Biden took office and resurrected an Obama administration effort to close the prison. An initial plan to conduct the transfer in October 2023 was derailed by opposition from Congress.
New York City began its congestion pricing plan
Today was the first weekday in which commuters entering Manhattan’s busiest streets were charged a $9 toll. The program, the first of its kind in the U.S., is designed to lessen traffic and pollution in New York City by encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and instead use the city’s sprawling — but financially depleted — mass transit system.
Drivers, business owners and residents we talked to expressed mixed feelings about the tolls. Among the new fee’s many detractors is Donald Trump, who said he would try to end the program once he takes office this month.
For more: Here’s how some drivers cheat their way past the tolls.
More top news
The New York slice has gone national
Do you know what Boulder, Colo., Washington, D.C., and Seattle have in common? They all serve a world-class slice of New York-style pizza.
That would have been almost unthinkable just 25 years ago. But now — thanks to entrepreneurial pizzaiolos, pizza evangelists and eager diners — you can find a perfect New York slice in places like Rexburg, Idaho, a city three hours from the nearest major airport.
Have an exquisite evening.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew
Sean Kawasaki-Culligan was our photo editor today.
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