The latest news, analysis and insights from our politics team. Several allies of Biden and Harris took to Twitter to defend Flournoy after CNBC published its story. Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser. We shall not be moved." | Terms of Use document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "© " + html; Vice President Kamala Harriss chief of staff is stepping down, a White House official said Thursday, in the latest shake-up among her senior aides. Column: Does racism make you too stupid to be a cop? Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops. Copyright 2023 EBONY. After Flournoy was hired in 2013, multiple senior advisors who continued to work under her leadership stopped gaining as much access as they did to Clinton prior to her arrival, said people briefed on the matter. Several people who say they were close to Clinton before Flournoy became his chief of staff in 2013 spoke to CNBC after a story published earlier this week described her management of access to Harris. [2], Flournoy served as an executive at tobacco giant Philip Morris. For instance, an influential Democratic donor who raised money for Harris' failed bid for president recently tried to reach out to the vice president, and had yet to receive a call back. Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. Founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University, the Minyon Moore, who worked in the Clinton White House and helped introduce Flournoy to Harris, defended her friend in atweet: "Tina Flournoy is focused, disciplined, & the person I would want by my side." Founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University. Got a confidential news tip? Almost two hours after she sent that email, McKenna, the former Clinton spokesman, made light of the suggestions in a response. The power group went on to publish a book titled For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Politics. "As a female, I'm overjoyed. Flournoy, appearing not to know that the text was from an old AP article, then wrote back with edits for the story. The future Killing Me Softly singer pledged Delta Sigma Theta as an undergraduate student at Howard University. Within her role there, Flournoy led work in political mobilization, human rights and community outreach departments. The donor reached out to a fellow Democratic financier for Flournoy's contact information. Flournoys appointment as Harris top staffer adds to a team of advisers led by Black women. "I'm not 100% sure, except I'm 100% sure, that you're editing a year-old story from the AssociatedPress' Little Rock bureau," he wrote. Originally, she was supposed to stay on only temporarily, but aides have described her as critical to the office as shes been leaned on more and more during her time on staff. Under chief of staff Tina Flournoy's watch, Harris speaks regularly to President Joe Biden, her family members, a tight group of friends, and her strategists, these people said. She's an extraordinary person, and I'm so fortunate and forever grateful to have had her as my chief of staff.". "When you start trying to control his other senior advisors who also have his best interest in mind, it kind of becomes an information vacuum," this person said. Tina Flournoy, the chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris, has established a reputation as a tough gatekeeper, using similar tactics to those she used While Flournoy was chief of staff, Clinton held an infamous tarmac meeting with then-Attorney General Loretta Lynchwhile his wife ran for president in the 2016 election. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clintons spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time. "So by making sure that she is able to focus on what she's being charged with, there could be people who are not necessarily getting access because the chief of staff is prioritizing those tasks for the VP over political outreach," this person explained. "If you look from 2013 through about a year a half ago when Tina was here, you can't point to any single one of them being here [Clinton's orbit]. Many of them worked in support of Biden and Harris. "It makes me feel proud to be a Black woman and shows that anything is possible," Chaney said. attended Texas Southern, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta. (Susan Walsh/AP) Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clintons spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time. document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = "© " + html; While the Biden-Harris team has not officially The team also said that Rohini Kosoglu, a former chief of staff in Harris Senate office who became a top advisor to her during the Biden presidential campaign, will serve as her domestic policy advisor. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team ". Some of the people who discussed their experience with Flournoy declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak about their time around Clinton, while others didn't want to risk retribution from Flournoy. That didn't work. According to this article from last summer, it's more about Flournoy than the VP. "She has a unique ability to focus on the big picture and adapt to changing conditions. Check out the singer and reality star strolling with her sorors below. "Together with the rest of my team, today's appointees will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our country's leadership around the world," Harris said in a statement. The southern songstress attended Florida A&M University on a music scholarship, pledging FAMUs Beta Alpha chapter in the fall of 2001. Before her recent appointment as chief of staff to Vice President Harris, Flournoy acted as chief of staff to President Clinton after his presidency ended. tnovelly@postandcourier.com, Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes, AP source: Former VP Pence testifies before election probe grand jury, House Republicans pass US debt bill, push President Biden on spending, In prison for life, convicted killer Alex Murdaugh faces 2 more tax evasion counts, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC, Joe Biden weighs Rahm Emanuel for transportation secretary, SC's Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters celebrate Kamala Harris' rise to vice president, Biden to nominate Yellen, highlight diversity on econ team, Editorial: In SC and beyond, a rising number of women in office is a welcome trend. While Harris found support among her Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters, she drew support from a wide number of historic Black colleges and universities and their affiliated African-American Greek organizations. It was a reference to the year Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded. Singer sparks pregnancy rumours at 2020 Soul Train Awards. Vice President Kamala Harris' chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, is leaving her position this spring, a White House official told CNN Thursday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Times full coverage of Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris, Biden faces growing pressure over Defense secretary pick, Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon blasted at White House Correspondents dinner, Column: A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea but a nightmare in practice. But it's part of the job. , Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. Tina Flournoy is incredibly smart, strong, and skillful, with deeply rooted values. Several questioned her methods while she worked for Clinton. The day's top national and international news. All Rights Reserved. Doesn't always make you popular. Its time to have a women-of-color agenda, where were defining the priorities of the country.. "(Harris) embodies all of it. Flournoy keeps a low profile and is rarely photographed, but she is a powerful force behind the scenes of Democratic politics and is currently serving as former "It was shocking because I said to myself, 'I'm an adult. West Ashley residents give feedback on status of Piggly Wiggly redevelopment project. India Chaney, a senior at Allen University in Columbia, serves as president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter at the historically Black school. WASHINGTON Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has chosen Tina Flournoy, a longtime aide to President Bill Clinton, to be her chief of staff, transition Tina Flournoy: The Truth About Kamala Harris' Chief Of Staff. At the time, Daughtry told POLITICO: Look, [Tinas] strong, shes intelligent, shes driven, and she expects strong, intelligent, driven people around her. A spokeswoman for Harris did not return a request for comment. From singers to civic leaders, here are Delta Sigma Theta members who were truly about that Greek life. WASHINGTON . Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff, a source told CNN. Previously, he wrote for the Courier Journal in Kentucky. She went on to earn her doctorate at thethe University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she pledgedDelta Sigma Thetain April 1974. Campaign Chairman John Podesta hugs Tina Flournoy, chief of staff to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, as they attend an event being held by Hillary Clinton to address her staff and supporters about the results of the U.S. election at a hotel in the Manhattan borough of New York, November 9, 2016. Thomas Novelly is a political reporter based in Charleston. Since 1945, EBONY magazine has shined a spotlight on the worlds of Black people in America and worldwide. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. "This goes beyond AKA," McLeod said. Chiefs of staff, especially those in the highest echelons of government, are expected to run a tight ship for their bosses, including by limiting who gets in the door for meetings or who reaches them on the phone. Kosoglu had served as Harris top adviser during the general election campaign. As Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris' allies outside the federal government are struggling to get their calls The email includes text from a previously published AP article to serve as an example of the Clinton Foundation story, which was expected in a few days. Harris has regularly joined President-elect Joe Biden and offered remarks at briefings on the economy, the coronavirus and health care since the two won the November election. Campaign Chairman John Podesta hugs Tina Flournoy, chief of staff to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, as they attend an event being held by Hillary Clinton to address her staff and supporters about the results of the U.S. election at a hotel in the Manhattan borough of New York, November 9, 2016. While the organization'snonprofit status prevents the sorority from endorsing political candidates, Alpha Kappa Alpha has been outspokenly supportive of Harris victory. But some people may find strong, driven, smart people intimidating, but I think thats more projection than reality because thats just not Tinas intent or style. Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server was being investigated at the time by the FBI, which is part of the Justice Department. VP-elect Harris picks Tina Flournoy to be her chief of staff, By AAMER MADHANI and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press, By Thomas Novelly Flournoy credits her incredible success to her parents. When the official leaders decided to move themselves to a different floor, the women moved to a room on an even higher floor and taped a sign to the door reading: COLOURED GIRLSWE SHALL NOT BE MOVED., For Colored Girls Only, We Shall Not Be Moved. They are Minyon Moore, Yolanda Caraway, Tina Flournoy, Reverend Leah Daughtry, and Donna Brazile. While Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters have to refrain from overt endorsements, it didn't stop many individuals from showing up to events, encouraging people to vote and give financially. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? While South Carolina went for the Donald Trump-Mike Pence ticket three weeks ago, she felt like the hard work paid off. I've known these people for a really long time, and I don't work for you.' As Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris' allies outside the federal government are strugglingto get their calls returned. She has led Clintons post-presidency office since 2013. Tina Flournoy is currently serving as chief of staff to Bill Clinton, but worked as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers, which is a union that represents 1.7m members. [8], In a June 30, 2021 article in Politico the vice president's office was described a dysfunctional, tense, and trustless with some of the blame resting with Flournoy. Mainly sunny. Shes part of a group of Black political operatives whove worked together in Democratic politics for decades, including Donna Brazile, Minyon Moore, Leah Daughtry and Yolanda Caraway. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! Hilton Head's preserved natural beauty is part of its brand. "When we look at where we are in this moment in the history of our country, I think our (sorority) founders gave us the right charge," Harris said at the gathering. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team Flournoy is the latest of top Harris aides to leave in recent months, including her senior adviser and spokesperson Symone Sanders, national security adviser Nancy McEldowney and communications director Ashley Etienne. Kathleen Ronayne, Associated Press "Before people went into scheduling meetings, they had to meet with her before hand and run everything by her," a former longtime Clinton associate said. In a statement sent by email from a White House official, Harris said of Flournoy: Tina has been a valued advisor and confidant to me and tremendous leader for the office. From day 1, she led our team during a historic first year as we made progress rebuilding our economy here at home and our alliances around the world. Lorraine Voles, who was brought in as a senior adviser to Harris last summer, will step into the role. Nancy McEldowney, a former U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and 30-year U.S. Foreign Service veteran, will be national security advisor. Flournoy was the Assistant to the President for Public Policy at the American Federation of Teachers, an international union representing 1.6 million members. Read moreAP source: Former VP Pence testifies before election probe grand jury, President Biden has threatened to veto the Republican package, which has almost no chance of passing the Democratic Senate in the meantime, and the president has so far refused to negotiate over the debt ceiling which the White House insists must be lifted with no strings to ensure America pays its bills. CNN Tina Flournoy, who is currently serving as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton, has been chosen to be Vice President-elect Kamala Harris chief of 2023 CNBC LLC. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit, Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower, Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower. Tina has been a valued advisor and confidant to me and tremendous leader for the office," Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. While Flournoy has made it tougher to get in touch with Harris, some of the vice president's supporters accept it as a consequence of Harris building out her portfolio. Many of those calls have yet to be returned, these people said. (CNN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris ' chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, is leaving her position this spring, a White House official told CNN Thursday. It's unclear if any of Harris' former Senate staff or longtime political advisers will join the vice president's office. The email sought thoughts from the Clinton office and foundation leaders on the upcoming piece. Vice President Kamala Harris and her Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy clap as they watch the Senate vote to pass the American Rescue Plan Saturday, March 6, 2021, in her West Wing of the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris' chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, is leaving her position this spring, a White House official told CNN Thursday. CNBC after a story published earlier this week, These are the top Senate races to watch in 2024, Schumer demands Texas end judge cherry-picking after 'flawed' abortion pill decision, U.S. imposes sanctions on Russia and Iran for wrongful detention and hostage-taking of American citizens, Clinton himself lauded Flournoy: "She's an extraordinary person, and I'm so fortunate and forever grateful to have had her as my chief of staff. Charleston, SC 29403, News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com, Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com, var html = new Date().getFullYear(); Flournoy joins Ashley Etienne as Harris' communications director and Symone Sanders as her chief spokeswoman.Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. Read moreArmy grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes, Former Vice President Mike Pence testified Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating efforts by then-President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to a person familiar with the matter. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Politico interviewed 22 associates of Harris and president Biden and current and former vice presidential aides. High 77F. COLUMBIA In January 2019, then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris attended a posh fundraiser for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at the University of South Carolina. [9], On April 21, 2022, the White House announced that Flournoy would be leaving the office.