Vice President of USA Residence Tradition Broken
Vice President Kamala Harris declines to invite Vice President-elect JD Vance for a pre-inaugural tour of the Vice President's residence, breaking a recent tradition. The decision follows a tumultuous relationship between the two and highlights the complexities of the transition process.
In a departure from tradition, Vice President Kamala Harris has declined to invite Vice President-elect JD Vance and his family for a courtesy visit to the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory before the inauguration. This decision comes after a tumultuous relationship between the two, with Vance having referred to Harris as "trash" during a November rally and making repeated attacks on her racial identity.
The Vice President's residence, located at 1 Observatory Circle, has been the official home of the Vice President since the 1970s. The 9,000 sq.ft. Queen Anne-style mansion has 33 rooms and is protected by military agencies and the United States Secret Service. Despite its rich history and tradition, the courtesy visit, which is typically extended to the incoming Vice President, has been broken. Harris' team has cited her focus on an overseas trip and Inauguration Day events as the reason for her decision, while also referencing Vance's past comments about her.
This is not the first time the tradition has been broken. During the Trump-Pence administration, the courtesy visit was also skipped. However, in 2021, outgoing Vice President Mike Pence met with then-Vice President-elect Joe Biden at the residence for two hours. The decision by Harris has sparked interest, given the historical significance of the Vice President's residence and the traditional transition process. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to accommodate the Vance children, with Usha Vance, JD's wife, having sought details about childproofing the residence through intermediaries.
The decision by Vice President Harris has highlighted the complexities of the transition process and the personal relationships between politicians. As the country prepares for the inauguration of the new administration, the broken tradition has raised questions about the tone and tenor of the upcoming term. With the Vice President's residence serving as a symbol of the office and its history, the absence of a courtesy visit has added a new layer to the already complex dynamics between the outgoing and incoming administrations.
