Even more staffers are considering leaving Vice President Kamala Harris' office after four aides announced their exit in two weeks
Kamala Harris could lose even more staffers, a Saturday report revealed, after four of her aides departed in the matter for just two weeks amid rumors of turmoil in the West Wing.
People familiar with the conversations told Politico that even more ‘key members of Harris’ orbit’ are ‘eyeing the exits’ and have expressed interest in leaving less than a year into her vice presidency.
Among the four staffers departing Harris’ office are Symone Sanders, who as senior adviser and chief spokesperson is one of the vice president’s closest aides. Ashley Etienne, the office’s communications director, is also leaving.
Officials maintain Sanders and Etienne’s departures were long-planned and not evidence of the reported turmoil.
Peter Velz, director of press operations, and Vince Evans, deputy director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, have both told others in the vice president's office that they are also leaving, administration officials told the Washington Post.
Both are expected to remain in the administration or take jobs in close coordination with the White House.
Some Democratic allies have urged Harris to embrace the concept of a reset after a rocky first year as vice president, which has been riddled with project failures – like addressing the southern border crisis – and reports of tensions between her team and the president’s.
Harris’ staff are leaving because they're burned out, there are better opportunities elsewhere and they don't want to be permanently branded a 'Harris person,' according to Axios.
After the already announced departure of Harris' communications director Ashley Etienne, Politico reported Wednesday that chief spokesperson Symone Sanders is expected to leave by the end of the year.
Axios noted that Sanders is getting married next year and was never able to go on a proper tour to sell her book, No, You Shut Up, which was published in May 2020.
Symone Sanders (left), Harris' senior adviser and chief spokesperson, will leave the White House by the end of the this month. Her departure comes after Ashley Etienne (right), Harris' former communications director, left last month
Two more staffers, Peter Velz (left) and Vince Evans (right), are reportedly eying exits, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday
Harris tamped down rumors of tension as she addressed Sanders' departure during a gaggle on her trip to North Carolina Thursday.
'I love Symone,' the vice president said. 'And I mean that sincerely.'
'I can't wait to see what she will do next. I know that it's been three years jumping on and off planes, going around the country …' Harris continued.
Sanders joined President Joe Biden's presidential campaign in 2019.
Harris declined to answer further questions on the wave of departures.
'Well, I told you how I feel about Symone,' Harris said.
During the trip, Harris' personal aide, Opal Vadhan, posted a photo of the VP's team all smiling as they celebrated the birthday of Deputy Director of Advance, Juan Ortega.
'A favorite tradition in the @VP’s office is celebrating staff birthdays with cupcakes! Happy Birthday, @JuanoBano!' she wrote.
Harris was in Charlotte, North Carolina to tour a public transit facility and give a speech on the bipartisan infrastructure bill alongside Pete Buttigieg, her rumored competition.
She hugged the Transportation secretary before they both boarded Air Force Two. Buttigieg then took questions from a gaggle of reporters on the plane alone.
When Harris and Buttigieg arrived at Charlotte Area Transit System Bus and Light Rail Garage, Harris sat down in the drivers' seat of an electric bus, pretending to drive the vehicle and honking the horn.
'The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,' Harris said, chortling as Buttigieg looked on.
Amid poll numbers in the high 20s, some Democrats are pushing for Buttigieg to replace Harris at the top of the ticket in 2024, should Biden choose not to run for a second term.
Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured an electric bus at Charlotte Area Transit System Bus and Light Rail Garage. Amid poll numbers in the high 20s, some Democrats are pushing for Buttigieg to replace Harris at the top of the ticket in 2024, should Biden choose not to run for a second term
The White House insists Biden plans to run again, but he will be 82 in 2024.
Harris, during remarks in Charlotte, thanked GOP North Carolina Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis for voting for the Infrastructure and Jobs Act.
'Because of their work - because of our work together - America is moving again.'
The vice president also pushed for passage of the Build Back Better act, what she called 'part two' of the Biden-Harris agenda.
