Vice President Kamala Harris's office has been hit by allegations of a toxic work environment, with staffers reportedly 'treated like s**t' and a culture of blame fostered by Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy, according to a Politico report based on interviews with 22 current and former aides.
The tensions reportedly boiled over after Harris's decision to visit the US-Mexico border last week, which blindsided staffers. Sources described low morale, poor communication, and a lack of trust, with Flournoy allegedly ignoring ideas, dismissing staff harshly, and dragging out decisions while refusing to take responsibility.
Some sources placed responsibility on Harris herself, saying the toxic environment 'all starts at the top.' One source said: 'People are thrown under the bus from the very top, there are short fuses and it's an abusive environment.' Another added: 'It's not a healthy environment and people often feel mistreated.'
The report also claimed that even President Joe Biden's office is concerned. Biden had warned appointees on his inauguration day that he would fire anyone showing disrespect to colleagues. Meanwhile, two staffers—Karly Satkowiak and Gabrielle DeFranceschi, who oversaw travel—have left, with sources contesting the official 'long-planned departures' narrative.
Harris's chief spokesperson Symone Sanders defended the office, calling critics 'cowards' and saying: 'We are not making rainbows and bunnies all day.' She added that Flournoy has an 'open door policy' and that 'black women like me would not have the opportunity to work in politics without Tina.' Others defended Harris and Flournoy, arguing that black women are held to unfair standards.
