Pete Buttigieg on Sunday again tried to shut down rumors of a feud between himself and Kamala Harris, saying his relationship with the vice president isn't affected by reports.
'She and I are part of a team that is disciplined and doesn't focus on what's obsessing the commentators,' the Transportation secretary told NBC's Meet the Press host Chuck Todd. 'We're too busy with a job to do.'
'There's no room to get caught up in the parlor games and I'm proud to be part of the Biden-Harris team,' Buttigieg added.
Rumors and gossip have swirled of tensions rising with President Joe Biden and the vice president amid reports this month of growing frustration between their teams.
The reports have also suggested a sort of rivalry developing between Harris and Buttigieg as some claim her team feels the president defends the Transportation secretary more than he does the vice president.
Since the reports emerged, Harris and Biden have exhibited their partnership.
On Monday's signing of the bipartisan infrastructure bill they put on a show of force when walking out onto the South Lawn together and exchanging hugs.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Sunday that reports of a feud between himself and Kamala Harris haven't affected his relationship with the vice president
Reports this month claim that tensions are rising between President Joe Biden and Harris – and that there is mounting frustration between the two teams in the White House. The two hug during a signing of the infrastructure bill on Monday, November 15
Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain tweeted Harris is an 'incredible leader'.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki argued Harris receives more criticism because of her status as a woman of color and the country's first female and first black vice president.
Some rumors emerging from the reports claim that Biden, if he runs again in 2024, could replace Harris with Buttigieg.
The president has publicly said he intends to run again and there has been anonymous chatter among Democrats that if he does he should consider replacing Harris.
There's additional speculation that if he doesn't run again, Harris would not be the strongest contender to replace him. Some have suggested that Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020, would be a better candidate for the nomination.
Biden did not name Harris or Buttigieg as the point
