Harris joins a decades-old tradition for vice presidents

WASHINGTON- Vice President Kamala Harris, in one of her final public appearances in this role, signed her ceremonial desk drawer at the White House on Thursday, a tradition that dates back nearly a century.

As a crowd of current and former staffers gathered in Harris’ official office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, she thanked them for their “extraordinary commitment” to public service and for prioritizing hopes and dreams of the American people.

“We have each adopted a life and a vocation that involves working in service to others, and doing so in a way that is fueled, yes, by ambition, yes, by an almost sense of stubbornness not to to hear no and to know that we can do it. make a difference,” Harris said.

Then, as second gentleman Doug Emhoff took photos, Harris used a Sharpie to sign his desk drawer, a tradition that dates back to the 1940s and has continued since the Ford administration. The vice president noted that she had met with all of her predecessors who signed the office, with the exception of Presidents Eisenhower and Truman.

As spectators chanted: “MVP! MVP!” Harris, who unsuccessfully challenged President-elect Donald Trump for the White House in 2024, was asked what she plans to do next. Speculation about her running for governor of California is rife.

“I’ll keep you posted,” she said, smiling.