Vice President Kamala Harris has made headlines by not extending a traditional courtesy to her successor.
The outgoing Vice President did not invite Vice President-elect J.D. Vance for a traditional sit-down or a tour of the Vice Presidential residence, indicating a departure from customary practice, Daily Mail reported.
This tradition involves the sitting vice president welcoming the incoming vice president through formal conversations and a guided tour of their future residence at the Naval Observatory. However, this year has seen a break from that tradition.
This break in protocol comes after a highly contentious election period. The vice presidential campaign was marked by personal jabs, leading to the defeat of Kamala Harris by Donald Trump in November.
Senator J.D. Vance and his family, including his wife Usha Vance and their three children, are now preparing to move into the Naval Observatory in just six days without the customary introductory tour typically provided by their predecessors.
Moreover, efforts by Usha Vance to inquire about childproofing the residence have met with a lack of cooperation from the current Vice President's team. Consequently, navy aides have stepped in to assist the Vance family with the necessary preparations.
Sources close to the outgoing vice president suggest her actions, or lack thereof, are a form of reprisal. Her response mirrors her own experiences following the 2020 election where the decorum had similarly faltered.
Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge his loss in 2020 led to a rocky transition for Harris, which appears to have influenced her current stance regarding the welcoming of her successor.
Sources suggest that Vice President Harris might be responding to her treatment after the 2020 election. However, former Vice President Mike Pence extended the usual hospitality to Harris when she was preparing to enter office, demonstrating that not all leaders have curtailed this courtesy.
J.D. Vance, transitioning into his role without this traditional support, bucks a long-standing ritual observed in U.S. political transitions.
The significance of these rituals, typically aimed at ensuring a smooth and respectful handover of responsibilities, seems understated in this instance where political tensions have spilled over into post-election procedures.
The absence of cooperation from Kamala Harris's side is a stark deviation from past interactions, such as when former Vice President Mike Pence welcomed her with open arms. This contrast underscores the variability in political customs contingent upon the relationships and circumstances surrounding each election.
With only a few days left before the Vance family's move, they rely heavily on the assistance of Navy personnel.
The lack of direct support from the outgoing administration is an unusual scenario that has raised eyebrows in political circles and among the public alike.
In conclusion, the transition of vice presidential duties this election cycle is marred by a departure from tradition that reflects broader political tensions. This incident not only highlights the fractured nature of current U.S. politics but also sets a precedent for future transitions which may or may not follow the established courteous practices depending on the prevailing political climate.
