Try:
<?php
if (strtotime($Recordset->getColumnVal("date")) >= strtotime('2020-01-01')) {
?>
<i class="fa fa-check"></i> Verified
<?php
}
?>
<?php
if (strtotime($Recordset->getColumnVal("date")) < strtotime('2019-12-31')) {
?>
<i class="fa fa-link"></i> Verify Now
<?php
}
?>