Jill Biden goes ballistic over Kamala Harris acting like 'prosecutor' to seek Joe’s endorsement
WASHINGTON, DC: Jill Biden has pulled the curtain on the behind-the-scenes drama within the Democratic Party as she went scorched-earth on former Vice President Kamala Harris for aggressively pursuing former President Joe Biden's endorsement during the turbulent 2024 campaign.
In her new memoir, the former first lady accused Harris of acting like a “courtroom prosecutor” in insisting that Biden immediately endorse the former vice president after hanging up his boots in the presidential race.
Minutes after stepping aside, Biden moved swiftly to endorse Harris, effectively ending any talk of an open Democratic showdown before the Chicago convention.
Jill Biden details Kamala Harris' push for a quick endorsement
Jill Biden, in her 'View from the East Wing', noted that Joe Biden’s endorsement for his running mate didn’t come as smoothly as it appeared.
She recounts the conversation on July 21, 2024, when the 46th president told his second-in-command that he had decided to step back from the race after a disastrous debate against President Donald Trump.
The Bidens were at their beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and his phone was on speaker.
“Oh my God, Joe. Are you sure?” Jill recalls Harris saying before pushing for her boss’ backing, according to an excerpt published by USA Today.
The former first lady claims Harris immediately turned into a “courtroom prosecutor” and began aggressively pushing Biden to announce his endorsement of her to replace him on the Democratic ticket.
When he proposed waiting until the following morning, she pushed back, arguing that any delay could create an opportunity for other Democrats to rally behind an alternative candidate.
"I want it sooner," she insisted, to which Biden replied, "I'll call you back when I figure this out."
But Harris remained quite adamant, saying, "Could you do it soon? Say, in twenty minutes?"
At that time, Jill walked out of the room as she was fed up with Harris’ continuous pushing.
Jill Biden’s complicated relationship with Kamala Harris
Though their partnership appeared united in public, the roots of friction between Jill Biden and Kamala Harris reportedly stretch back to a pivotal 2019 debate, where Harris challenged Biden over his opposition to federally mandated busing programs.
The following week, the future first lady defended her husband on a conference call with supporters, saying in reference to Harris: “With what he cares about, what he fights for, what he’s committed to, you get up there and call him a racist without basis? Go f**k yourself.”
After Joe clinched the Democratic nomination, Jill reportedly opposed selecting Harris as his running mate, questioning why the campaign should elevate someone who had publicly challenged him during the primary.
However, they managed to keep a smooth relationship in public after Joe won the presidential election.