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Trump wins electoral college amid nationwide protests Trump wins electoral college amid nationwide protests
(35 minutes later)
The US electoral college has certified Donald Trump as the 45th president, despite a last-ditch effort to deny him the White House.The US electoral college has certified Donald Trump as the 45th president, despite a last-ditch effort to deny him the White House.
Six weeks after winning the polls, the Republican cruised past the 270 votes needed to formalise his victory.Six weeks after winning the polls, the Republican cruised past the 270 votes needed to formalise his victory.
After the result, Mr Trump promised to "work hard to unite our country and be the president of all Americans".After the result, Mr Trump promised to "work hard to unite our country and be the president of all Americans".
Electors had been flooded with emails and phone calls urging them not to support the billionaire.Electors had been flooded with emails and phone calls urging them not to support the billionaire.
But despite longshot liberal hopes of a revolt by Republican electors, only two - from Texas - ended up voting against him.But despite longshot liberal hopes of a revolt by Republican electors, only two - from Texas - ended up voting against him.
'No treason, no Trump!''No treason, no Trump!'
He secured 304 votes, compared with 227 for Hillary Clinton. Mr Trump secured 304 votes, compared with 227 for Hillary Clinton.
It was the Democratic candidate who ended up losing more electoral votes in Monday's ballot at state capitols nationwide.It was the Democratic candidate who ended up losing more electoral votes in Monday's ballot at state capitols nationwide.
Five of her electors defected, with three voting for ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell, one for a Native-American tribal leader and another for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.Five of her electors defected, with three voting for ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell, one for a Native-American tribal leader and another for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
The result will be officially announced on 6 January in a special joint session of Congress.The result will be officially announced on 6 January in a special joint session of Congress.
"I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next president of the United States," Mr Trump said in a statement after the result came in."I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next president of the United States," Mr Trump said in a statement after the result came in.
"With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead.""With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead."
Vice-President-elect Mike Pence wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the United States today by the Electoral College."
He added that he was "honored & humbled" to be confirmed as vice-president.
The voting process is usually a formality, but was overshadowed this year by claims that Russian hackers tried to sway the presidential election.The voting process is usually a formality, but was overshadowed this year by claims that Russian hackers tried to sway the presidential election.
Millions of Americans signed an online petition stating that Mr Trump was unfit for the Oval Office, while anti-Trump protesters gathered at state capitols across the country.Millions of Americans signed an online petition stating that Mr Trump was unfit for the Oval Office, while anti-Trump protesters gathered at state capitols across the country.
In Pennsylvania, more than 200 demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures, chanting: "No treason, no Trump!'"In Pennsylvania, more than 200 demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures, chanting: "No treason, no Trump!'"
In Maine, protesters beat drums and waved signs saying: "Don't let Putin Pick Our President."In Maine, protesters beat drums and waved signs saying: "Don't let Putin Pick Our President."
In Madison, Wisconsin, protesters cried. In Madison, Wisconsin, demonstrators cried.
Numerically, Mr Trump's opponents never stood much chance. To keep him out of the Oval Office, 38 Republican electors would have had to defect.Numerically, Mr Trump's opponents never stood much chance. To keep him out of the Oval Office, 38 Republican electors would have had to defect.
Even that would probably only have delayed the inevitable.Even that would probably only have delayed the inevitable.
If no candidate had reached 270 in the electoral college, the House of Representatives would have voted on the next president.If no candidate had reached 270 in the electoral college, the House of Representatives would have voted on the next president.
The Republican-controlled chamber would most likely have picked Mr Trump.The Republican-controlled chamber would most likely have picked Mr Trump.
Mr Trump is scheduled to take office on 20 January. Mr Trump is due to take office on 20 January.
How does electoral college work?How does electoral college work?
It was set up by America's founding fathers as a compromise between allowing Congress and the people to elect the president. The institution was set up by America's founding fathers as a compromise between allowing Congress and the people to elect the president.
Technically, Americans cast votes on election day for electors, not the candidates themselves.Technically, Americans cast votes on election day for electors, not the candidates themselves.
The electors are mostly elected officials or party functionaries, and are generally unknown to the public.The electors are mostly elected officials or party functionaries, and are generally unknown to the public.
There are 538 in all, one for each member of Congress, plus three for District of Columbia.There are 538 in all, one for each member of Congress, plus three for District of Columbia.
Although Democrat Hillary Clinton secured almost three million more votes from the public, Mr Trump won the majority of electors - 306.Although Democrat Hillary Clinton secured almost three million more votes from the public, Mr Trump won the majority of electors - 306.
What is the US electoral college?What is the US electoral college?