Staff ReportsThe outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris has managed to score another point in the ongoing game of political one-upmanship. Reports indicate that she passed on the opportunity to welcome Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and his family to the vice president’s residence before Inauguration Day. It seems that Harris is in the business of counting slights instead of blessings, as the tradition of inviting the incoming VP for a cozy meet-and-greet was certainly tossed out the window this time.
According to sources passing their gossip through CBS News, Vance’s wife, Usha, made a sincere attempt to reach out to Harris about childproofing the Naval Observatory. This is the equivalent of trying to open a door that’s already been bolted shut. After a couple of attempts, the inquiry was met with silence, as Harris’s aides clearly had other pressing matters on their agenda. Instead of rolling out the welcome mat, it appears Harris and her team opted for a game of political dodgeball, letting the Vances figure things out with the Navy aides who manage the residence.
JUST IN: Kamala Harris declines to invite JD Vance for a visit to the Vice President’s residence before President Trump’s inauguration. pic.twitter.com/HQdprHOUle
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) January 14, 2025
Usha did manage to have a chat with First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, but as any parent knows, a 40-minute conversation about childproofing is hardly a substitute for a friendly invitation. Harris’s friends and allies defended her decision, claiming it was just the way the cookie crumbled since she had historically been left out herself. Still, there’s something particularly amusing about using that excuse when the last administration, led by Mike Pence, made it a point to welcome Biden with open arms, proving that not all political traditions are created equal.
In the midst of pandemic concerns and the chaos of the January 6 riot, the final days of the Trump administration might have seemed like a whirlwind. However, one can’t help but wonder if Harris simply couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge the Vances—maybe she was more preoccupied with the wildfires in Los Angeles or crafting her next viral social media moment. It’s a classic case of conflicting priorities for a Vice President who’s too busy counting her woes to extend a simple olive branch.
To add a dash more irony, the tradition of inviting the incoming Vice President has been a cherished one, up until recently, likening it to a gracious neighborly gesture gone awry. The fact that Harris could have chosen to extend that same courtesy, but instead chose to hunker down, speaks volumes about the current climate of political divisions. It’s almost as if one can hear the crickets chirping in the halls of power, all while history books will inevitably document this missed opportunity for that sweet, sweet bipartisanship that seems so elusive this day and age.
