Claim Kamala Harris 'leaving White House' refers to travel, not job status | Fact check
The claim: Kamala Harris 'leaving White House'
A May 27 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a photo of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Harris Leaving White House – Where She’s Going Raises Eyebrows,” reads the text in the image.
Other Facebook posts also shared the claim.
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Our rating: False
Harris started a cross-country travel tour in April. She is not changing jobs. She continues to serve as Joe Biden’s vice president, and no announcements from the White House or credible news reports indicate she is leaving or intends to do so before the election.
Post references VP's travel plans, not a job change
The wording in the post leads users to believe Harris is leaving the White House on a permanent basis.
But that’s not true. The article linked in the post references only her “leaving” the White House amid travels in April, not any change in employment.
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That story correctly outlines her “Economic Opportunity Tour” that started April 29 in Atlanta and also took her to Wisconsin on May 16. Its purpose is to highlight the Biden Administration’s record on the economy, according to a statement from the White House.
There's been no change to her job status. Her biography remains posted on the White House website, and there have been no announcements or credible news reports that she has said anything about leaving before the end of her term.
Rather, she continues to make public appearances and campaign for Biden's re-election. She attended fundraisers May 31 in San Diego and June 1 in Seattle. Additionally, Harris will travel to Switzerland on June 15 to take part in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, according to a June 3 announcement from the White House.
This isn't the first time Harris’ employment status has been the source of misinformation: USA TODAY previously debunked a false claim in October 2022 that she resigned from the vice presidency. Other debunked claims baselessly assert Harris is ineligible to succeed Biden as president or did not place her hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office.
USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post but did not immediately receive a response.
Our fact-check sources:
The White House, accessed May 30, Kamala Harris
The White House, accessed May 30, Briefing Room
The White House, April 25, Vice President Kamala Harris Launches Nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour
The White House, June 3, Statement by Communications Director Kirsten Allen on Vice President Harris’s Travel to Switzerland
Fox 5 San Diego, May 31, Vice President Harris arrives in San Diego for brief visit
My Northwest, June 1, Vice President Kamala Harris returns to Seattle for fundraising events
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Post misleads on Kamala Harris' status as vice president | Fact check
