In a significant departure from former President Donald Trump’s stance, a bipartisan group of House Republicans and Democrats has signed a pledge to honor the certified winner of the 2024 presidential election.
A bipartisan letter vows to respect the certified results of the 2024 election, committing to calm, fairness, and a peaceful transition of power, with some Republicans joining the group in what is arguably a pointed message to Trump, as Axios reports.
The letter, which was signed by a half dozen House Republicans and numerous Democrats, is a rare show of bipartisan cooperation in the face of heightened political tensions. It promises to respect the legitimacy of the certified winner and commits to defending the integrity of the electoral process. Among other commitments, the signers agree to attend the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, and promote calm in the nation during a potentially turbulent period.
This pledge marks a clear contrast to former President Trump, who has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 election. The effort is led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Don Bacon (R-NE), who spearheaded the initiative as a response to the lingering divisions caused by the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol unrest. Both lawmakers have stressed the importance of acknowledging the certified winner as the legitimate president, regardless of party affiliation.
The letter, first reported by Politico, explicitly condemns any form of violence tied to the election. Signers of the letter promise to be a "voice for calm and reconciliation," hoping to avoid the political violence that has marred recent years.
The group’s promise to attend the January 2025 inauguration stands in stark contrast to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol hoping to overturn the 2020 election results. Security concerns for the certification of the 2024 results have already prompted enhanced measures from the Secret Service, according to reports.
While many Republicans in Congress continue to align with Trump’s refusal to commit to accepting the 2024 results, a small group has chosen to break away. Among the Republicans who signed the letter are Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Nick LaLota (R-NY), and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY). Their participation in this pledge signals a growing unease within some parts of the GOP over the potential for political violence in the wake of the election.
Fitzpatrick, Lawler, Chavez-DeRemer, LaLota, and D’Esposito represent a faction of Republicans who are taking a more moderate stance, prioritizing the integrity of the electoral process over party loyalty. Their decision to sign onto the letter reflects concerns about the rising tide of political polarization and its potential impact on the peaceful transfer of power.
Gottheimer’s office has confirmed that efforts to gather additional signatures for the letter are ongoing. As more lawmakers become aware of the initiative, the group hopes to expand the number of signers, emphasizing that safeguarding the democratic process is not a partisan issue but a fundamental principle of American governance.
The lingering effects of the Ja. 6 protests nearly four years ago continue to weigh heavily on members of Congress. With politically motivated violence on the rise, security preparations are already underway for the certification of the 2024 results in January 2025. The Secret Service has indicated that enhanced measures will be in place to protect lawmakers as they carry out their constitutional duties during the certification process.
The letter also addresses these security concerns, condemning any actions that incite or engage in violence. The signers pledge to prioritize national stability, urging their colleagues and the public to uphold the democratic process peacefully. The bipartisan nature of this letter underscores the growing consensus among some lawmakers that political violence must not be tolerated, no matter the political context.
As the drive for signatures continues, those involved in the initiative remain hopeful that more Republicans and Democrats will join their call for peace and respect for the certified results, especially in an increasingly divided political landscape. The initiative’s emphasis on bipartisan cooperation and the peaceful transfer of power stands as a rare point of agreement amid ongoing partisan battles.
Though it remains to be seen how widespread support for this letter will be within Congress, its signers are confident that their message of reconciliation and respect for the rule of law will resonate with many. The letter’s signatories are urging Americans to remember that democracy relies on a peaceful, orderly transfer of power, and the health of the nation depends on their ability to uphold that principle.
