In a spectacle that could only be described as Washington’s version of ‘Groundhog Day,’ Congress has once again certified Donald J. Trump as the President-elect of the United States. The joint session, held on January 6, 2025, was presided over by none other than Vice President Kamala Harris, who had the unenviable task of announcing her own electoral defeat. One can only imagine the internal monologue: ‘And the winner is… not me.’

The certification process, typically a mundane affair, proceeded without incident—a stark contrast to the chaos that unfolded four years prior when the Capitol was overrun by protesters challenging the electoral outcome. This time, the only storm brewing was the literal one outside, as a snowstorm blanketed Washington, D.C., perhaps attempting to cleanse the city of its political sins.

Trump secured 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226, a decisive victory that has been met with a range of emotions—from jubilation among his supporters to existential dread in certain coastal enclaves. The President-elect, never one to miss an opportunity for self-aggrandizement, took to social media to declare, ‘This is a great day for America. The people have spoken, and their voices have been heard.’ One might recall that the people also spoke in 2020, but who’s keeping track?

Vice President Harris, displaying a level of composure that would make a Buckingham Palace guard envious, emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power. ‘Our democracy is strong because we uphold its principles,’ she stated, perhaps subtly reminding the audience that conceding gracefully is, indeed, an option.

The session was notably devoid of the objections and grandstanding that have characterized recent years. No senators leapt to their feet to challenge the results; no representatives waved folders of dubious ‘evidence.’ It was almost as if the spirit of civility had made a brief cameo appearance in the halls of Congress. Or perhaps everyone was just eager to get home before the snow piled up.

Security was, unsurprisingly, tighter than a drum. Layers of fencing surrounded the Capitol, a visual reminder of the events of January 6, 2021. The heavy police presence ensured that the most contentious debate of the day was whether the cafeteria should serve clam chowder or tomato soup.

As the nation prepares for Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the political landscape is poised for a seismic shift. Republicans have retained control of the Senate and hold a slim majority in the House, setting the stage for a legislative agenda that promises to be as subtle as a sledgehammer.

In the meantime, the outgoing administration has pledged to cooperate fully with the transition, ensuring that the machinery of government continues to chug along. President Biden, in a display of statesmanship, has urged Americans to support the incoming administration, stating, ‘We must come together as a nation.’ A noble sentiment, though one might wonder if unity is truly on the menu or if we’re in for another four years of political food fights.

So here we are, back where we started, with Donald Trump preparing to take the oath of office once more. The swamp, it seems, remains as murky as ever, but at least the alligators are familiar. As the saying goes, ‘The more things change, the more they stay the same.’ Buckle up, America. The sequel is about to begin.