[erkelly]

The constitution does not require an inauguration in January. The original presidential term expired sometime in March but if there is no president elect at that time, the speaker temporarily takes on the duties of president until one is elected. Probably someone else here remembers more precisely the procedure when a new president is not elected when the old president’s term expires.

[Alberta's Child]

You realize, of course, that you’ve just presented a scenario where the Democrats would change their approach and drag out the election certification process indefinitely so that Nancy Pelosi would be president until 2024.

What exactly would that accomplish?

[Jim Noble]

“The Constitution does not require an inauguration in January”

The Constitution does not require an inauguration at all. What it DOES require is that the terms of the President and Vice President end on January 20, and that the terms of their successors then begin.

[Right_in_Virginia]

The constitution does not require an inauguration in January

The 20th amendment to the Constitution specifies that the term of each elected President of the United States begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election