Former Vice President Kamala Harris declined a request from the family of incoming Vice President JD Vance for a tour of the vice presidential residence ahead of the inauguration. Vance shared this information during the inaugural episode of the Katie Miller Podcast.
Traditionally, the outgoing vice president shows the incoming vice president’s family around their new home. Vance noted that this is a customary gesture, especially for families with young children. At the time, Vance and his wife, Usha, had three kids aged 7, 5, and 2. Usha wanted to take the children to see where they would be living for the next four years. However, their request was turned down by Harris.
Instead of visiting the residence, the Vance children learned about their new home through photographs. A friend from Cincinnati provided a book about the vice president’s residence, which the family used to show the kids what it would look like.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Harris did not follow the tradition of inviting Vance to the residence before the inauguration. This break from custom has drawn attention, especially given Harris’s own emphasis on family throughout her political career. She has often referred to herself as “Momala” to her stepchildren, a nickname that reflects her role as a stepmother.
Harris has written about her experiences and the importance of family support in her life and career. The refusal to accommodate the Vance family may add to the narrative of political tensions surrounding the transition of power.
