The US Congress convened today and officially ratified the victory of Republican President-elect Donald Trump during a session chaired by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, his defeated opponent in the November presidential election.

The ceremony, which takes place every four years and paves the way for Trump’s inauguration in two weeks, was carried out very smoothly and easily, in sharp contrast to the ceremony four years ago, when a crowd of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed attempt to block the certification of then-President Trump’s 2020 defeat by Democratic President Joe Biden.

Security was tight in Washington, and current President Joe Biden vowed that there would be no repeat of the violence that occurred four years ago.

“Congress today certifies our great election victory – a great moment in history. MAGA!” Trump wrote earlier on the social networking platform Truth Social.

In an irony of protocol, it was Kamala Harris who chaired the meeting today in her capacity as vice president, exactly four years after the Capitol was attacked by hundreds of supporters of the Republican billionaire.

“Donald J. Trump, of the State of Florida, received 312 votes” of the electors that make up the Electoral College, the vice president said at the conclusion of that ceremony.

“Kamala D. Harris of the State of California, received 226 votes,” he added.

Known for her big smile and upbeat demeanor at public appearances, today Harris stood stoic and strictly followed formality.

“Today was obviously a very important day and it was about what the norm should be and what the American people should be able to take for granted, that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is to have a peaceful transition of power,” he said. Harris told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I firmly believe that American democracy is only as strong as our will to fight for it.”

Across the room from Harris was her Republican successor as vice president, Jay D. Vance, sitting in the front row.