The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump is getting closer as U.S. states cast their electoral votes.
It all started with ten voters in the east coast state of Maryland on Tuesday morning (local time). They voted for US Vice President Kamala Harris, who won the state in the November 5 presidential election. A total of 538 voters cast their ballots in various states throughout the day. This process is just a formality and there will be no surprises. Republican Trump has 312 voters and Democratic Harris has 226 voters.
United States President-elect Donald Trump holds a press conference on Monday, December 16, 2024.Image: trapezoid
Each elector will receive his or her own ballot, which, including signatures, will be sent to Vice President Harris in her capacity as President of the U.S. Senate. Copies are sent to the Secretary of State, the presiding judge in the county where the electors gather, and the United States National Archives in Washington. The official results will not be announced in Congress until January 6, two weeks before the 47th president of the United States will be sworn in.
Harris wins big election
Trump clearly defeated Harris in the November election. Not only was he able to win all the key swing states, he was the first Republican since George W. Bush in 2004 to win an absolute majority of the popular vote.
While the “popular vote” reflects the total number of votes cast by all voters across the country, the Electoral College majority is critical to election victory. The system is based on a complex “winner-takes-all” principle – meaning the US president can be elected even if he receives fewer votes nationwide than his opponent.
With the new president taking office on January 20, the electoral process will officially end. Trump will be sworn in (the “Inauguration”) in a solemn ceremony in front of the Capitol in Washington.
Mar-a-Lago Press Conference
Earlier this week, Trump used his first major press conference since the election to answer reporters' questions on domestic and foreign policy issues. His answers sometimes seemed disjointed—he often digressed, repeated himself, and inserted personal anecdotes. The president-elect speaks from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and more…
- …his immigration policies: Trump reiterated plans for mass deportations and announced that affected countries had “taken back” immigrants. Failure to do so would have “very serious” economic consequences. He also expressed hope that construction of the border wall with Mexico would continue. It’s unclear whether countries will actually fully pull back migrants, or even if they can — much will depend on bilateral agreements, political pressure and countries’ capabilities.
- …War in Ukraine: Trump denounced President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons to attack Russian territory as “very stupid.” He did not rule out changing the decision after taking office. Trump also called for a quick end to the war but did not specify specific steps to achieve that goal. He did not answer questions about talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian territorial concessions.
- …Middle East Conflict: Trump calls Türkiye a key player in Syria. Asked whether he was considering attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, he declined to answer directly. Trump called his recent exchange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “very good conversation.” Regarding the efforts to free the hostages in Gaza, he warned that it would be “unpleasant” if it had not happened by the time he takes office on January 20.
parliamentary ride
In the U.S. congressional elections held at the same time as the presidential election, the Republican Party won a majority in both houses of Congress. This provides Trump with a strong starting point for implementing his political agenda. It's unclear whether he will coordinate more closely with leading Republicans or take a more impulsive and independent line, as he has in the past. (HKL/SDA/DPA)
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