Kamala Harris’ national security adviser is latest VP staffer to resign

Vice President Kamala Harris’ nationwide safety adviser has turn out to be the newest high-profile staffer to go away the veep’s workplace, in keeping with a report.

Nancy McEldowney, who has labored for Harris since she took workplace, will probably be changed by her deputy Philip Gordon, mentioned an inside memo obtained by Reuters on Monday.

McEldowney reportedly mentioned within the memo that she was stepping right down to “concentrate on some urgent private issues.”

“This was a tough determination as a result of I'm so deeply dedicated to the work we do and the essential nationwide curiosity we serve,” she wrote. “However after greater than a 12 months, that is the correct determination for my household.”

It wasn’t instantly clear when McEldowney’s resignation would take impact, although she mentioned she wasn’t “speeding out the door.” A senior administration official advised Reuters her final day hasn’t but been confirmed.

McEldowney, a former ambassador to Bulgaria and onetime director of the State Division’s Overseas Service Institute, had suggested each Harris and President Biden on a spread of worldwide points — together with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ nationwide safety adviser Nancy McEldowney is stepping down from her position to “concentrate on private issues.”

U.S. Division of State

Vice President Kamala Harris (heart) and Nancy McEldowney (proper) meet with feminine entrepreneurs on the Sofitel Reforma Lodge on June 8, 2021, in Mexico Metropolis.

Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Occasions through Getty Pictures

She had additionally accompanied Harris on a string of official visits to Central America, Asia and Europe that featured a sequence of high-profile gaffes and awkward moments.

In an announcement, Harris mentioned McEldowney had given her “invaluable counsel” and expressed gratitude for “her distinctive expertise, deep experience, and management navigating complicated challenges.”

McEldowney is the tenth key official to depart Harris’ workplace since this previous June, together with director of digital methods Rajun Kaur, director of advance Karly Satkowiak, deputy director of advance Gabrielle DeFranceschi, communications director Ashley Etienne, chief spokesperson Symone Sanders, director of press operations Peter Velz, deputy director of public engagement Vince Evans, speechwriting director Kate Childs Graham and deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh. 

Vice President Kamala Harris (proper) and nationwide safety adviser Nancy McEldowney within the West Wing of the White Home on January 22, 2021.

Official White Home Picture by Lawrence Jackson

Secretary of State Antony Blinken (from proper) meets with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Nancy McEldowney.

State Division Picture by Ron Przysucha/ Public Area

Nancy McEldowney is the tenth member of Kamala Harris’ workers to resign.

JIM WATSON/AFP through Getty Pictures

Whereas it's not unusual for White Home staffers to shift roles after the primary 12 months of an administration, the Harris departures have come beneath extra scrutiny within the wake of a number of experiences about bullying and her therapy of workers.

White Home press secretary Jen Psaki defended the departures late final 12 months as “pure.”

Gordon, McEldowney’s successor, labored on the Nationwide Safety Council within the Clinton and Obama administrations and in addition served as assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs throughout Obama’s first time period.

With Publish wires