High turnover rates and complaints from former aides place the spotlight on Vice President Kamala Harris' office environment.
According to Fox News, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy claims that "nobody lasts very long" working for Vice President Kamala Harris amid renewed scrutiny of her office culture.
In a recent interview on Fox News' "Life, Liberty & Levin," former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed his concerns over what he perceives as VP Harris's problematic management style. This was highlighted by the significant turnover rates in her staff.
OpenTheBooks.com revealed that her office experienced a remarkable 91.5% turnover rate as of the end of March 2024, with only four of the original 47 staff members from 2021 still employed.
The turnover figures are concerning and extend beyond the usual fluctuations seen in political offices. In the past year alone, 24 staff members have left their positions, underscoring ongoing issues within her team dynamics.
Reports and statements from those who have worked under Harris in various capacities suggest that these challenges are longstanding. Kevin McCarthy also noted Harris' reluctance to engage with colleagues from her time in the Senate, which strained inter-party relationships. He claimed she consistently refused meetings with him and other members of the California delegation during her senatorial tenure.
The critique of Harris' management approach is supported by anecdotal and recorded evidence. Former aides have anonymously voiced concerns about the work environment, describing it as difficult and unrewarding.
Terry McAteer, the father of a former intern, described the atmosphere in Harris' office as pressurized and disrespectful. He detailed incidents of harsh language and unreasonable demands placed on staff.
Terry McAteer said in The Union newspaper:
Senator Harris vocally throws around ‘F-bombs’ and other profanity constantly in her berating of staff and others. The staff is in complete fear of her and she uses her profanity throughout the day. As Attorney General, Senator Harris instructed her entire staff to stand every morning as she entered the office and say, ‘Good Morning, General,' and mentioned that Gregory was also given instructions to never address Harris nor look her in the eye as that privilege was only allowed to senior staff members.
Harris's staff turnover is notably higher than that of her predecessors and the current president. President Joe Biden's office has a 77% turnover rate, while former President Donald Trump had a 72% turnover rate during the same period in their respective terms.
The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, the absence of a formal response has not quelled the ever-growing scrutiny surrounding her office's conduct and the alleged treatment of staff.
VP Kamala Harris, who first assumed political office as a U.S. Senator, has continually been at the center of such controversies regarding staff management throughout her career. From the high turnover to the substantiated claims from former staff and critics alike, the narrative shapes a challenging outlook on her administrative capabilities.
The ongoing criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris emphasizes the operational challenges within her office and raises broader questions about her leadership style. The personal testimonies of former aides and the comparative data on staff turnover present a concerning trend that has persisted throughout her political career.
