Vice President Kamala Harris’ chief of employees Tina Flournoy is leaving her place after 15 months — becoming a member of a rising listing of Harris aides who’ve known as it quits over the previous 12 months.
Flournoy led Harris’ staff via a turbulent interval punctuated by reported tensions with West Wing employees and vexing duties given by President Biden to his No. 2., comparable to decreasing unlawful immigration and passing federal election reforms.
“Tina has been a valued advisor and confidant to me and super chief for the workplace,” Harris stated in an announcement.
“From day 1, she led our staff throughout a historic first 12 months as we made progress rebuilding our financial system right here at dwelling and our alliances around the globe. Tina is the consummate public servant and I’ll proceed to depend on her recommendation, counsel and friendship.”
The rationale for Flournoy’s departure was not instantly clear.
Flournoy spearheaded staffing for Harris and served as an necessary hyperlink between the veep and outdoors Democratic allies and activists. However the workplace skilled speedy employees turnover, as occurred in Harris’ prior political roles.
Among the many high-profile aides who’ve departed Harris’s workplace are chief spokesperson Symone Sanders, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, director of digital methods Rajun Kaur, director of advance Karly Satkowiak, deputy director of advance Gabrielle DeFranceschi, communications director Ashley Etienne, director of press operations Peter Velz, deputy director of public engagement Vince Evans, speechwriting director Kate Childs Graham and nationwide safety adviser Nancy McEldowney.
The departures occurred amid a cascade of press reviews describing a poisonous setting among the many VP’s employees, and Flournoy didn’t escape unscathed. Based on a June 2021 Politico report, her efforts to guard Harris from criticism led to her dismissing or ignoring employees concepts, refusing to delegate duty, unnecessarily prolonging choices, and blaming these beneath her for damaging outcomes.
“Individuals are thrown beneath the bus from the very prime, there are quick fuses and it’s an abusive setting,” one unnamed supply instructed the outlet on the time. “It’s not a wholesome setting and folks typically really feel mistreated. It’s not a spot the place individuals really feel supported however a spot the place individuals really feel handled like s—.”
Others pointed the finger at Harris herself, claiming related work environments throughout her tenure as a senator from California and the Golden State’s legal professional normal.
Based on disgruntled former aides who spoke to the Washington Publish late final 12 months, Harris is an workplace “bully” with a “soul-destroying” administration fashion.
Lorraine Voles will take over as Harris’ chief of employees. Voles presently is a senior adviser to the VP and is a former spokesman for Vice President Al Gore, George Washington College and Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential marketing campaign.
Though her departure comes amid a staffing sea change, Flournoy served longer than former Vice President Mike Pence’s first chief of employees, Josh Pitcock, who lasted simply six months.
Earlier than Pence, Biden had three chiefs of employees in his eight years as vice chairman — Ron Klain, Bruce Reed and Steve Ricchetti — all of whom now work for him on the White Home, with Klain as chief of employees.
