Kamala Harris makes history, assumes presidential power briefly

Vice President Kamala Harris has notched another accolade under her belt as she became the first woman in U.S. history to assume presidential power.

Last Friday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden, 77, will undergo a routine colonoscopy at Walter Reed Medical Center and “will transfer power to the Vice President for the brief period of time when he is under anesthesia.”

In the midst of it all, Harris has had to refute claims that she is being sidelined in her position as second-in-command and struggling to maintain a good relationship with President Joe Biden and his office.

In an interview with “Good Morning America” co-anchor George Stephanopoulos, Harris said she doesn’t feel misused or underused by President Joe Biden’s office, contrary to a CNN report.

“We’re getting things done, and we’re doing it together,” Harris told Stephanopoulos.

“So, you don’t feel misused or underused?” Stephanopoulos asked the vice president.

“No,” Harris said. “I don’t. I’m very, very excited about the work that we have accomplished. But I am also absolutely, absolutely clear-eyed that there is a lot more to do, and we’re gonna get it done.”

After talking to former and current staff and others close to the administration, CNN first reported that Harris is facing staffing issues, and there is tension between the West Wing and the vice president’s office over how Harris is being utilized. Sources said the White House had not supported Harris when she faced backlash.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also shot down the claims in the report.

Some close to Harris also said she faces more pressure as the first female, first Black and first South Asian vice president. Her approval ratings are also lower than the president’s, and she has faced harsher social media scrutiny than past vice presidents.

Image courtesy of thesatimes

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