In the United States, if the vice president runs for the top job and loses, they unfortunately must preside over the ceremony that confirms their own defeat. Al Gore did it in 2000. Richard Nixon in 1960. And so, Kamala Harris, straight-backed and composed, stood on the rostrum in the House of Representatives yesterday as her loss was laid bare, vote by vote. This was, according to the constitution at least, the moment Trump’s victory became official.
It was awkward. At 1pm, congressional “pages” brought the electors’ votes into the chamber in leather-sealed wooden trunks, which were then unclasped by officials, and the tallies handed to Harris. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer took a while to find a seat, leaving Harris and the speaker Mike Johnson chatting gingerly on the stage. By 13.03pm Johnson was reaching for his water, and the conversation was at an end. Outside, thick snow had left the city quiet and empty of people.
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