Peter Velz is the director of press operations for Vice-President Kamala Harris. He is the most recent aide to leave the office. According to Eugene Daniels, Velz will be taking a position at the State Department’s Protocol office. Daniels stated that the departure of the former Harris official was first reported in November.
Velz released his own statement regarding his resignation Wednesday. He said he was “so proud of Harris’ work” and called the BidenWhite House an “amazing workplace to work”.
“Today is my last day in the White House. It truly has been an honor. Velz posted on Twitter that he will always be grateful to Vice President Harris and the amazing Team @VP. Velz also expressed his pride in their work supporting this historic Administration. The White House is an incredible place to work. You’re surrounded by the most selfless smart and hardworking people who do their best every day to serve the American people. It has been a joy.
“But I’m going not far!” “But I’m not going far!” he said.
Velz’s departure comes just one day after Vincent Evans (Harris’ deputy director for public engagement intergovernmental affairs) resigned from the vice president’s chair to assume the role of executive director of Congressional Black Caucus.
Black lawmakers are the leaders of the CBC, advocating for issues that affect minority communities throughout the country. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) is the group’s chair. […] Evans served as a political director for Harris in the transition and was also a nominee for vice-president during the latter stages of 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Ashley Etienne was the first to leave Harris’ office. She left her position as communications director in December to pursue other opportunities. Shortly thereafter, Symone Sanders, a former senior advisor and chief spokesperson, also left Harris’ office.
News of Etienne’s departure came after CNN published a damaging report in which it was claimed that Harris aides and Biden aides were starting to fall apart.
CNN reported that key West Wing aides were “disappointed by what they perceive as entrenched dysfunction, lack of focus, and have largely thrown their hands up at Vice President Kamala Harris’ staff — deciding there simply aren’t the time to deal with them now.”
The establishment media outlet stated that many in the vice-president’s circle feel she is not adequately prepared or positioned and that they are being marginalized. “The vice president has admitted to confidants that she feels limited in what she can do politically.
Harris personally addressed these reports and stated that she doesn’t feel “misused” or “underused” by Biden or his team.
The vice president said that he was very, very proud of the work they have done, but that he is also very clear-eyed about the fact that there is much more to be done, ABC News’ Good Morning America reported.
