Inside Kamala Harris’ scandal-hit office as her Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy becomes twelfth aide to leave
KAMALA Harris has been hit with another high-profile departure on her team as her chief of staff announced her departure.
Tina Flournoy, who has been with Harris since she took office, will be the twelfth staffer to leave since June of 2021.
"Tina has been a valued advisor and confidant to me and tremendous leader for the office," Harris said in a statement.
"From day 1, she led our team during a historic first year as we made progress rebuilding our economy here at home and our alliances around the world. Tina is the consummate public servant and I will continue to rely on her advice, counsel and friendship."
Flournoy is set to be succeeded by Lorraine Voles, a veteran communications strategist who has served as an adviser in Harris' office since summer 2021.
Many have pointed out that Harris losing staffers seems to be a trend, as turnover remains high on her team. Flournoy's departure comes weeks after Harris' deputy chief of staff, Michael Fuchs, quit.
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"It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this administration, working for the Vice President and President on behalf of the American people," Fuchs wrote in an email to fellow staffers published by .
"Fifteen months later, it’s almost difficult to recall the magnitude of the challenges we faced when we came in, from an unprecedented pandemic to historically difficult economic circumstances. And it is thanks to the work of this administration - and all of you - that our country has had such success in tackling these challenges and turning things around."
Fuchs will remain on the team through May as the Harris team looks for a new deputy chief of staff.
He will help to train and transition the new staffer before his full departure.
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"The Vice President is grateful for Michael’s tireless work, leadership, and the many miles he traveled domestically and internationally as we lifted up families and strengthened relationships with allies abroad. Our entire team will miss Michael as he begins this next chapter," Harris communications director Jamal Simmons told .
Fuchs' exit follows the exit of Harris' deputy press secretary, chief spokesperson, director of press operations, director of speechwriting and national security advisor among others.
Social media rumors have been fueled by these departures, as rumors have leaked out about Harris' office being a toxic workspace with a lot of infighting, leading to high turnover among staffers.
The label as a "bully" began for Harris' team after someone who reportedly worked for the vice president claimed that she "inflicted constant-soul destroying criticism" on her employees.
"It's clear that you're not working with somebody who is willing to do the prep and the work," a former colleague told the .
"With Kamala you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism and also her own lack of confidence."
"So you are constantly sort of propping up a bully and it's not really clear why."
Other Harris staffers have been quick to come to her defense, stating that Harris is a great boss and no one has ever felt bullied in her presence.
Press Secretary , who also recently announced she will be leaving the White House this spring, denied reports of any bullying amongst the vice president's team and even recent criticism of Harris, herself.
She also pushed back against claims that a Harris aide was instructed to post about how much he loves his job by higher-ups, amid recent scrutiny.
"I'm not aware of any asks for a positive tweet or specific tweet," she stated, following a post by aide David Gins in defense of his boss.
"I would point you to the Vice President's office, but I work with a number of people in the Vice President's office who certainly are looking forward to continuing their jobs," Psaki said.
In the tweet, Gins, who identified himself as Deputy Director of Operations tweeted:
"Hi. My name is David Gins. I work for Vice President Harris on behalf of the American people as Deputy Director for Operations and absolutely love my job. Just thought some of you should know," the official wrote.
New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns are writing a book titled This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future, in which they allegedly talk about some of the tensions in the Biden/Harris administration.
Leaked excerpts reference a feud between Harris and President Joe Biden over a Vogue Magazine cover in which Harris was unhappy with her outfit in the photos that were used.
Biden told Harris to let it go and said her issues were "first world problems."
Harris also allegedly sent her chief of staff to scold Biden's staffers for not giving her enough respect, as Harris' office has complained about Biden's all-white inner circle.
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Of the four-person senior press team that came on with Harris, only one member, Herbie Ziskend, remains.
The Harris team has been reached for comment.
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