In the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 6th, as Americans groggily woke up after a night full of anxiety and hopefulness, a decision was released that will change politics in the United States for the foreseeable future. Former President Donald J. Trump won the presidential race with 277 electoral college votes against Vice President Kamala Harris’ 224 votes. 

The race was expected to be highly competitive, with many polls showing both candidates neck-and-neck in most battleground states. However, Trump’s ability to secure critical wins in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina ultimately led to him coming out victorious. 

The election results have sparked many different reactions across the country. Republicans and conservatives have rejoiced in the fact that their candidate has won, whereas Democrats and liberals have become increasingly anxious and scared for what the next four years have in store. 

As the nation moves forward, political experts expect increased polarization among citizens, with some leaning heavily right and some heavily left. Despite this, many believe that there will be a renewed focus on key issues such as the economy, healthcare, and immigration. The nation is also looking to see how the Democratic party will handle this loss and how it will affect future elections.

The next few weeks are expected to be critical, as Trump’s team prepares to make the transition back into the oval office and Harris’ focuses on making the most of the time she has left as Vice President to prepare for a smooth transition of power.