The Unexpected Victory & Trump's Second Term
Upcoming 2024 U.S. Elections: Democrats Preparing Leadership Transition
The unexpected win from Donald Trump in the US elections has set the wheels in motion for the power transition at the White House. The controversial Republican, who accepted Joe Biden's invitation for a meeting in Washington, seems eager for a second stint. Biden's office confirmed that the meeting is scheduled to take place soon. Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged her defeat and pledged a smooth transition.
Rumors swirl about the composition of the upcoming administration. Potential candidates for influential positions include tech billionaire Elon Musk, the controverted ex-ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, and the popular vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy.
Republic's Total Takeover Likely
In all swing states, Trump scored a decisive victory and reached the required majority of more than 270 electoral votes for another term in the White House more quickly than anticipated. Additionally, Trump achieved a surprising majority of nationwide votes for the first time.
Moreover, the Republicans are poised to seize the majority in the US Senate and retain their control in the House of Representatives. Although the final outcome in the House is yet unclear, it is likely that they will hold onto their seats. If successful, Trump will face minimal political hurdles from the Democrats, granting him a formidable position of power within the government.
With Trump's return to the White House, the United States may face an increasingly authoritarian government. International partners and allied nations shall brace for substantial uncertainty.
Democrats Admit Defeat
While conceding defeat should be a given, Trump himself failed to follow protocol. In 2020, he lost to Biden and still refuses to acknowledge the election results. Instead, Trump continuously challenged the validity of the verified election outcome, which ultimately led to the violent storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Conversely, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden graciously congratulated the 2024 victor.
The Power Transition Procedure
Although the election results are looking obvious, outstanding vote counts must still be tallied. This process should be completed no later than December 11, 2024. On December 17, the electors from each state will convene for a vote. Their vote does not change the election outcome. On January 3, 2025, the newly elected Congress will convene for the first time.
The official confirmation of the election results by the Senate and House of Representatives will occur on January 6, 2025. On this same day in 2021, the riots at the Capitol took place. The final act of the power transition will take place on January 20, 2025, where the newly elected president will be sworn in at the Capitol. On this day, the newly elected administration officially takes over the reins of the country.
Weekly News on the 2024 U.S. Elections
Donald Trump is back as president of the United States. On November 5, Americans elected their new leader. Kamala Harris was defeated by Trump for the second time. What's next? What does Trump's presidency mean for the United States and the rest of the world? What is the mood in Germany and Hamburg? Over the coming week, our website will keep you updated with the latest news about the elections.
sha/dpa
Author: Luca Schafiyha
As a child, Luca Schafiyha (born in 1994) dreamt of becoming a writer. Writing a whole novel, however, was too much for the Rheinlander. Instead, journalism became his new aspiration. Since then, Luca has published a regular column in the Rheinische Post. He has worked for WDR, Handelsblatt, Wirtschaftswoche, ran.de, and Rolling Stone. A bass guitar enthusiast, Luca spent a semester abroad in Bologna. The daily aperitivo at Piazza Maggiore is still missed. Code: sha
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Enrichment Data:
- Judicial Appointments: Trump has announced five candidates for judicial positions as of early May 2025[1]. His goal is to secure a total of 150 appointments to surpass Ronald Reagan's record of 383[1].
- Cabinet Appointments: The Senate confirmation process for Trump's cabinet officials is nearly complete[4]. The administration has been noted for its ties to Project 2025 groups, with over 70% of the cabinet having connections to these groups[3].
In the aftermath of Donald Trump's unexpected re-election, the new administration is expected to implement significant changes in policy-and-legislation and politics. The upcoming power transition will bring a substantial uncertainty to allied nations and the world due to Trump's authoritarian stance. As the 2025 calendar unfurls, the latest general-news and developments about the US elections will continue to shape the world's outlook.
With Trump's return to the White House, international partners, including Germany, may encounter unforeseen challenges and shifts in relationships. In the coming weeks, news outlets will provide further updates on these developments and their potential impacts on global politics.
