Vice President Kamala Harris has experienced an unprecedented 92% staff turnover rate during her first three years in office, according to data from OpenTheBooks, a conservative watchdog group. This staggering attrition rate raises serious concerns about the working environment and leadership within the vice president's office.
As of March 31, 2024, only four of the original 47 staff members who started with Harris in 2021 remain in her office. The high turnover has been attributed to a combination of internal conflicts, poor management, and a demanding work environment. Reports from within the office describe it as "dysfunctional," with claims of staff being "thrown under the bus" and an overall atmosphere that is "abusive".
Does anyone remember when Kamala’s staff left her in droves? Guess it was worse than we thought. #kamalaharris #Kamala2024 #KamalaDestroysAmerica #kamala pic.twitter.com/VcZqTYgXqI
— VeLaura (@Oddland66) July 23, 2024
This pattern of staff turnover is not new for Harris. During her tenure as California's Attorney General and later as a U.S. Senator, Harris' offices were also marked by high rates of staff departures and internal controversies.
For example, as San Francisco district attorney, Harris' office failed to properly oversee a crime lab, leading to the dismissal of over 1,000 criminal cases.
🇺🇸 Mark Cuban says Kamala Harris staff have reached out to him about #Bitcoin and crypto.
Game theory has started playing out 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5AkRSsycHS
— Vivek⚡️ (@Vivek4real_) July 23, 2024
Additionally, her tenure as Attorney General of California was marred by a $400,000 sexual harassment settlement involving a senior aide, which Harris claimed to be unaware of at the time.
Comparatively, this level of turnover is even higher than that seen in the tumultuous Trump administration, which had a 92% turnover rate among its senior advisers by the end of his term. However, the context differs as the roles in Harris’ office span a wider range of responsibilities and levels of seniority.
The turnover has not gone unnoticed by political analysts and critics. Representative Ralph Norman, R-S.C., highlighted the issue, questioning Harris' effectiveness as a leader. "What has she done as borders are? What has she done? Nothing. And I think her record speaks for itself," Norman stated, reflecting a broader criticism of Harris' performance in addressing key issues such as immigration and border security.
Furthermore, the Biden-Harris administration has faced scrutiny for its handling of the border crisis, with millions of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. over the past three years. This situation has only added to the pressures within Harris’ office, exacerbating the already high stress levels among her staff.
