How the White House and president-elect Trump will manage the transition

Several steps remain before the president-elect receives the White House keys, including congressional certification of the election results

A supporter of Donald Trump waves a giant flag outside the White House in Washington on November 6. AFP

Donald Trump will make a return to power following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, but his inauguration is months away.

Several steps remain before he receives the White House keys, including congressional certification of the election results – the formality that Trump supporters sought to disrupt when they stormed the US Capitol nearly four years ago after he lost re-election against Democrat Joe Biden.

The final vote tally is not yet in, but Mr Trump has surpassed the electoral college threshold that wins him the presidency, and his rival, Ms Harris, has conceded.

Mr Biden, the current president, has already invited his successor to the White House, and Mr Trump's team says the visit “will take place shortly”. It is expected to be awkward as Mr Trump did not extend such an invitation to Mr Biden in 2020, nor did he concede defeat.

Now, after months of exchanging barbs and Mr Trump regularly calling Mr Biden “the worst president” in US history, the two will face cameras together at the White House.

Meanwhile, staffing up such a massive administration takes time and the wheels are already turning.

Team Trump has named his former small business administrator Linda McMahon and businessman Howard Lutnick as transition co-chairs, and said the president-elect will start naming personnel “in the days and weeks ahead”.

Mr Biden on Thursday vowed to work with Mr Trump “to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition”.

Joe Biden promises peaceful transition of power to Trump administration

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There is already discussion about two possible – and controversial – appointments to the new administration: billionaire Elon Musk and former independent candidate Robert F Kennedy.

Key cabinet posts including secretary of state require confirmation from the Senate, where Republicans will hold a majority.

The road to the White House

Following an election, each of the 50 states plus Washington conducts a thorough review of the process of counting and aggregating ballots, and addresses any irregularities or controversies before the “safe harbour” day of December 11.

Technically, voters do not actually cast their ballots for a presidential candidate, but for electors who are part of the electoral college, who meet after the election to vote for a president.

After officials verify the complete and accurate record of their state's election, the electors are required to meet – this year it is on December 17 – to cast their votes and certify the election in their state.

Four years ago, Mr Trump allies sought to cast doubt on the process and pressured local officials – unsuccessfully, in the end – to refuse to certify the results.

On January 6, the process finally moves to Washington. The ballots are ceremoniously brought to the US Capitol, and a joint session of Congress formally counts the electoral votes.

As president of the Senate, the vice president is entrusted with making the final certification of the election – making for another awkward moment, with Ms Harris set to certify the victory of the Republican who beat her.

In 2021, thousands of rioters, fuelled by repeated claims of election fraud from Mr Trump and his allies, stormed the Capitol seeking to halt the certification. The unrest forced lawmakers to take shelter, but ultimately the process was finalised, with Mr Trump's vice president Mike Pence certifying Mr Biden's 2020 victory.

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  Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP

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  A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP

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  The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP

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  Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP

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  Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP

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  Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP

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  US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP

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  Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP

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  Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP

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  Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP

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  Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP

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  Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters

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  Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP

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  Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

A president's term begins on January 20 at noon with the taking of the oath of office, the US Constitution says. When Mr Trump raises his right hand, he will become the 47th president.

The ceremony has traditionally taken place outdoors, and since 1981, presidential inaugurations have been held on the US Capitol's west front.