In a poignant moment near the end of her tenure, Vice President Kamala Harris made a bold declaration to her staff, promising she would not “go quietly into the night” as she added her signature to a desk drawer in her ceremonial office. Despite being on the brink of leaving office, Harris emphasized that her work, and the work of her team, was far from over.
Harris, who made history as the first female vice president, acknowledged the accomplishments of her administration but refrained from listing them, instead focusing on the pride and determination that had driven her and her team through countless challenges. “We have each taken on a life and a calling that is about doing work in the service of others,” Harris said, while noting the ambition and perseverance that had defined her time in office.
This ritual of signing the desk drawer has long been a tradition among vice presidents, but Harris’s journey to this moment has been anything but traditional. From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to the surging crime rates, crippling inflation, and growing border crises, Harris, alongside President Biden, navigated some of the toughest times in modern American history. However, her tenure also saw relentless criticism, including frequent mockery for her public speaking gaffes, or what some called her “word salads.”
Despite these setbacks, Harris’s career trajectory has been remarkable. After being thrust into the national spotlight, she became the first woman to ever hold the vice presidency. Following President Biden’s unexpected departure from the 2024 race, Harris assumed the Democratic nomination, a role that led her through a heated, controversial election cycle, which included multiple assassination attempts against then-President-elect Donald Trump.
However, Harris’s political future now appears uncertain. After her defeat to Trump in the 2024 election, speculation abounds over what her next move might be. Some suggest she may run for governor of California in 2026, as current Governor Gavin Newsom is barred from seeking a third term due to state term limits. Others wonder if she will make another attempt at the presidency in 2028.
For now, Harris remains tight-lipped about her future plans. Her recent comments to her staff, however, suggest she is far from being ready to fade into the background. Whether she pursues a political comeback or shifts focus elsewhere, one thing is clear: Harris intends to remain a prominent figure on the national stage for years to come.