As the inauguration of President-elect JD Vance looms, tensions seem to be rising within the White House, with outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris refusing to extend a basic gesture of goodwill to the incoming vice president and his family. In an unexpected twist, Harris has denied JD Vance and his wife, Usha, any pre-inauguration access to the Naval Observatory—the official vice presidential residence in Washington, D.C.
The residence has been home to every U.S. vice president since the 1970s, but it seems that Harris has no intention of leaving office on a cordial note. Multiple sources, both from within the Democratic and Republican parties, confirmed to CBS News that the outgoing vice president has not only denied the Vances a formal sit-down but also rejected a simple tour of the residence in advance of their move-in.
This refusal to extend an invitation to the Vances follows a specific request made by Usha Vance in November. As a mother of three young children, all under the age of eight, Usha asked for information regarding the house to ensure it was properly child-proofed for their family.
According to CBS News, the request was initially dismissed by a political appointee of Harris. However, after a further back-and-forth, Navy aides who manage the residence did provide the Vance family with some logistical information. These aides offered an overview of the residence to help with the practicalities of the Vances’ transition, but no further assistance or tours were arranged.
While the Vances were given some basic details before Christmas, it was clear that any sort of personal engagement from Kamala Harris or her husband, Doug Emhoff, was not forthcoming. In fact, Emhoff did take a 40-minute phone call with Usha Vance, but that appears to be the extent of the couple’s interaction with the incoming vice president’s family.
The refusal to offer the Vance family any kind of personal assistance marks a stark departure from tradition. While political transitions often come with tensions, both outgoing and incoming vice presidents typically extend an olive branch in the form of a residence tour or informal meeting. This gracious gesture is meant to help the incoming VP and their family feel comfortable in their new role.
However, the Vance family has been met with an unusual level of coldness. In contrast, when Mike Pence was set to leave the vice president’s office in 2021, he offered Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff a chance to tour the residence, though this invitation was given quietly after Donald Trump’s refusal to concede the election. Despite Pence’s initial offer, Harris and Emhoff never took up the invitation, and there was no formal meeting between the two couples.
So, what’s behind Kamala Harris’ refusal to engage with the Vances?
The timing of this refusal is especially telling. Just days before the inauguration, Kamala Harris’ actions—or lack thereof—seem to reflect a bitterness toward the incoming administration. In fact, CBS News reported that Harris is so focused on addressing the California wildfires that she simply doesn’t have time to accommodate the Vances.
While this reasoning seems a bit far-fetched, given the fact that the Vance family has repeatedly requested basic access to the residence, many observers believe that it’s an excuse rather than a genuine commitment to wildfire management.
Conservative media outlet RedState has criticized Harris’ handling of the California wildfires in the past, calling attention to her ineptitude in managing the crisis. One RedState columnist remarked that it’s “scary to think that she was almost President of the United States,” pointing out that Harris often comes across as a “vapid empty suit” when addressing important issues.
This refusal to extend even a basic level of support is especially perplexing given Kamala Harris’ self-presentation as a “mom” figure. As “Momala” to her stepchildren, Harris has worked hard to project an image of empathy and maternal care. Yet, her actions toward the Vance family suggest a lack of grace in what should be a straightforward, professional transition.
For Usha Vance and her young family, this lack of cooperation has made the transition to the vice president’s residence far more difficult than it needed to be. With three young children to consider, the Vances’ requests for a child-proofed home and basic logistical guidance should have been met with professionalism and courtesy. Instead, Harris appears more concerned with souring relations with the incoming administration.
Kamala Harris’ refusal to assist the Vance family is the latest in a series of actions that have left many questioning her leadership. As the first woman of color to hold the office of vice president, Harris had the opportunity to set a precedent for unity and collaboration. Instead, her exit appears to be defined by bitterness and a refusal to help ease the transition for the incoming vice president.
With the inauguration of JD Vance fast approaching, it remains to be seen whether this episode will mark the end of the Harris administration’s attempts to contribute to a smooth and cooperative transition—or whether it will leave a stain on the vice presidency’s reputation in the history books.
For now, Kamala Harris’ refusal to engage with the Vances serves as a disappointing reminder of the bitterness that can arise in the political sphere, even in moments when basic decency should prevail.
2 Comments
If I were JD Vance, I wouldn’t want her near me. She’s a liar and a phony,
Have you ever been to a drunkards house? She’s probably embarrassed by the mess.