the issues: peaceful transfer of power
The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of democratic governance, representing a commitment to the rule of law and the continuity of democratic institutions, regardless of election outcomes. In the context of the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have demonstrated divergent attitudes and actions regarding this principle. An examination of their records and public statements provides insight into how each candidate approaches the issue of the peaceful transfer of power.
Kamala Harris: Commitment to Upholding Democratic Norms
Kamala Harris, as the Vice President of the United States since 2021, has consistently emphasized the importance of respecting democratic institutions and norms, including the peaceful transfer of power. Harris’s public statements and actions reflect a commitment to upholding the electoral process and ensuring that power transitions smoothly between administrations.
Acknowledging the 2020 Election Results: In the 2020 election, Kamala Harris was on the Democratic ticket with Joe Biden. After their victory, both Harris and Biden emphasized the need for a smooth transition of power, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the election results. The Biden-Harris team stressed that respecting the election outcome, even when contested, was critical for maintaining public confidence in American democracy.
During the transition period following the 2020 election, Harris and Biden faced numerous hurdles as Trump and his allies sought to overturn the results. Despite these challenges, Harris repeatedly called for unity and a peaceful transition. This demonstrated her alignment with democratic norms that prioritize a peaceful and lawful transfer of power as an essential component of American governance.
Condemnation of the January 6 Capitol Attack: Kamala Harris has been vocal in her condemnation of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, which was an unprecedented attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election results. The attack, led by supporters of Donald Trump who believed his false claims of widespread election fraud, posed a direct challenge to the peaceful transfer of power.
In her public statements following the attack, Harris described January 6 as a “dark day” in American history and emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who sought to undermine the electoral process. She has consistently supported efforts to investigate the events of January 6 and ensure that such an attack on democracy is never repeated. Harris’s response to the attack has been framed around reinforcing the importance of a peaceful transition and defending the integrity of democratic institutions.
Support for Electoral Reforms: As Vice President, Harris has also worked to promote electoral reforms that she believes will strengthen democracy and ensure fair and secure elections. This includes supporting legislation to expand voting rights and make elections more accessible. By advocating for these reforms, Harris has signaled her commitment to maintaining public trust in the electoral process, which is a crucial aspect of ensuring peaceful transitions of power.
Harris’s actions and rhetoric surrounding elections indicate a clear alignment with democratic principles, including a respect for the outcomes of elections and the orderly transition of power, even in the face of contentious political environments.
Donald Trump: Rejection of the 2020 Election Results and Challenges to the Peaceful Transfer of Power
Donald Trump’s approach to the peaceful transfer of power has been highly controversial, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the election and his promotion of false claims about voter fraud have raised serious concerns about his commitment to the peaceful transfer of power, a fundamental principle of democracy.
Refusal to Concede the 2020 Election: After the 2020 election, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the election had been “stolen” from him through widespread voter fraud. These claims were debunked by election officials, courts, and independent experts, but Trump continued to assert that he was the rightful winner of the election. Despite losing both the popular vote and the Electoral College, Trump refused to concede the election to Joe Biden, breaking with the long-standing tradition of presidential candidates graciously accepting defeat.
Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the legitimate outcome of the election led to weeks of uncertainty during the transition period. His administration delayed the formal process of transitioning government resources and access to the incoming Biden administration, which is typically done to ensure a smooth handover of power. This refusal to participate in a peaceful transfer of power was widely condemned by both Democrats and Republicans as a dangerous erosion of democratic norms.
Incitement of the January 6 Capitol Attack: Perhaps the most significant event related to Trump’s rejection of the peaceful transfer of power was the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. On that day, as Congress was meeting to certify the Electoral College results, Trump held a rally near the White House where he urged his supporters to “fight like hell” to stop the certification of the election. Following the rally, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, breaching security and disrupting the certification process.
The attack resulted in deaths, injuries, and widespread damage to the Capitol, as well as a temporary halt to the certification of the election. Trump’s role in inciting the violence was a key factor in his second impeachment, in which the House of Representatives charged him with “incitement of insurrection.” While the Senate ultimately acquitted Trump, the events of January 6 are widely seen as a direct challenge to the peaceful transfer of power, with Trump’s rhetoric and actions playing a central role.
Efforts to Overturn the Election: In the weeks leading up to January 6, Trump and his legal team filed numerous lawsuits across multiple states, seeking to overturn the election results. These lawsuits were almost universally rejected by the courts, as they lacked credible evidence of fraud or wrongdoing. Trump also pressured state officials, including Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, to “find” enough votes to reverse his loss in key swing states.
These efforts to undermine the election results were widely criticized as attempts to subvert the democratic process. Trump’s actions, including pressuring state officials and promoting baseless conspiracy theories about voter fraud, were seen as a direct attack on the legitimacy of the election and the peaceful transfer of power.
Ongoing Claims of Election Fraud:
Even after leaving office, Trump has continued to promote false claims about the 2020 election. His refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the election has contributed to ongoing distrust in the electoral process among his supporters, many of whom continue to believe that the election was “stolen” despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Trump’s continued promotion of these false claims has raised concerns about how he might approach future elections, including the 2024 race. If Trump were to lose again, it is unclear whether he would accept the results or once again challenge the peaceful transfer of power. His post-2020 behavior suggests a willingness to prioritize personal and political interests over democratic norms.
Key Differences in Their Approach to the Peaceful Transfer of Power
Acknowledgment of Election Results:
Kamala Harris: Harris has consistently emphasized the importance of respecting the outcome of elections, regardless of the result. Her public statements and actions following the 2020 election highlight her commitment to democratic norms, including a peaceful transfer of power.
Donald Trump: Trump has refused to accept the results of the 2020 election, promoting false claims of widespread fraud. His refusal to concede and his efforts to overturn the election results represent a significant departure from the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.
Role in the January 6 Capitol Attack:
Kamala Harris: Harris has condemned the January 6 attack and has supported efforts to hold those responsible accountable. She views the attack as a direct threat to the peaceful transfer of power and the integrity of American democracy.
Donald Trump: Trump’s rhetoric and actions leading up to the January 6 attack, including his false claims of election fraud and his rally on the day of the attack, have been widely criticized as inciting violence and undermining the peaceful transfer of power.
Long-Term Impact on Democracy:
Kamala Harris: Harris’s approach to the peaceful transfer of power aligns with traditional democratic norms. Her actions and rhetoric reflect a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and respecting the will of the voters.
Donald Trump: Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results and his continued promotion of false claims about election fraud have eroded trust in democratic institutions. His actions have contributed to ongoing concerns about the future of the peaceful transfer of power in the United States.
The peaceful transfer of power is a foundational principle of American democracy, and the records of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump demonstrate starkly different approaches to this norm. Harris has consistently emphasized the importance of respecting election results and ensuring a smooth transition between administrations, reflecting her commitment to upholding democratic institutions. In contrast, Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results, his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol attack, and his continued promotion of false claims about election fraud raise serious concerns about his commitment to the peaceful transfer of power. As the 2024 election approaches, these differences will likely remain central to the broader conversation about the future of American democracy and the preservation of its most essential traditions.