Donald Trump officially completed his political comeback on Monday as Congress certified his election victory, marking a stark contrast to the events of four years ago when his supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn his defeat.

The certification process was smooth despite a major winter storm blanketing Washington, DC, and much of the United States in snow. Vice President Kamala Harris, presiding over the session, announced the results: “Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D. Harris of the state of California has received 226 votes.”

Harris confirmed the count as “a sufficient declaration” for Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to take their oaths of office on 20 January. The ceremony officially concluded the tumultuous chapter of Trump’s legal battles over the 2021 Capitol riots, as prosecutors dropped charges against him upon his re-election.

Trump, 78, has pledged to pardon several of the rioters, whom he described as “hostages.” To date, around 900 individuals have faced federal charges for their roles in the insurrection, which included vandalism, assaulting police officers, and trespassing.

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, outgoing President Joe Biden condemned efforts to downplay the events of 6 January 2021 and urged Americans to remain vigilant against threats to democracy. “We cannot accept a repeat of what occurred four years ago,” Biden wrote.

The 2021 riots had seen pro-Trump supporters violently storm the Capitol, leaving a trail of destruction. Four people died during the attack, while four police officers later took their own lives. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has since vowed to investigate the House committee’s findings on the riots, which concluded that Trump had instigated the violence.

The certification ceremony, designated a national security event, was safeguarded by 500 National Guard personnel. Despite heightened security, the event proceeded without incident, marking a significant milestone in Trump’s return to power.