Vice President Harris signs a drawer in her desk and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff takes a photo on January 16, 2025. Mandelyan/AFP hide title
Vice President Harris sat at her ceremonial desk Thursday afternoon and celebrated a tradition that began in the 1940s - signing the top drawer.
On January 20, in her last public event before her political rival's inauguration, Harris took out a marker and became the first woman to sign her name on the table, breaking a barrier by becoming the first woman elected vice president. , bringing an end to four historic years.
Aides and former staffers who worked with her over the years cheered. Harris thanked them for their work and told them she wasn't done yet.
"I will tell you, everyone here has a lot to be proud of, but our work is not done yet," Harris said. "As you all know me -- because we spent a long, long time together. Long days, months and years – it’s not in my nature to go quietly into the night, so don’t worry about that.”
Traditionally, the vice president signs his name in the top drawer of his desk before leaving office. Mandelyan/AFP hide title
Harris' tenure didn't end the way she had hoped. If Harris wins the November election, she will pack her bags and move into the West Wing.
But instead, she has spent the past few weeks packing her bags in Washington and performing constitutional duties, such as certifying the Jan. 6 election. She announced the electoral vote count to cheers from congressional Republicans, officially cementing her loss to Donald Trump. and ensure the peaceful transfer of power—something Trump himself sought to subvert four years ago.
"I do believe very strongly that American democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it... Otherwise it will be very fragile and will not be willing to withstand moments of crisis. And today, American democracy is still standing," she said after the certification . result.
Vice President Harris approved the Electoral College vote during a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2025, which was praised by Speaker Mike Johnson, who certified the 2024 presidential election. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide title
By the time Inauguration Day rolls around, boxes of materials from her four-year term will be sent to the National Archives, and the vice president herself will be moving to Los Angeles.
Her home was evacuated last week as a precaution against wildfires. Harris will move to another part of town, where she will stay and plan her next steps. Her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, will return to work at an as-yet-unannounced law firm.
Harris is stepping down from his position in a rather unique position. Her national profile grew during her short-lived presidential campaign last year. Her approval ratings are higher now than when she launched her campaign, though lower than when she first took office.
Joel Goldstein, a Saint Louis University law professor and expert on modern vice presidents, said Harris is fully capable of running for office again.
"Her experience as vice president and presidential candidate is something no Democrat under the age of 75 has," he said.
Goldstein said Harris could have three options: run for California governor in 2026, run for president in 2028, or choose what he calls the "third door": other options that don't involve running for office.
Vice President Harris speaks with her staff, former aides and friends before signing her name on a desk drawer in the Vice President's Ceremonial Office at the White House on January 16, 2025. Mandelyan/AFP hide title
Two Harris aides told NPR that she hasn't made any decisions about her choice yet -- and one source said full discussions have not yet taken place. Another source said they believed the gubernatorial race was "too low" and that Harris would be demoted once she became vice president.
But a third source said Harris does intend to remain in the public eye, whether through speeches or social media. She will retain a small group of advisers as she decides how to function in the coming months.
A source close to Harris said that if she does want to run for office again, she may have to make a decision by this summer to begin fundraising and campaign efforts.
People who know Harris say that when she leaves office on Monday, it will be the first time in more than two decades that Harris will not be a public servant and it will be a big adjustment for her.
Rep. Lateefah Simon, D-Calif., worked for Harris when she was first elected as San Francisco district attorney. Now a new congressman representing Oakland, where her old boss grew up, Simon says Harris is nowhere near retirement.
"I'm excited about what she's going to do," Simon said.
"I can't possibly - and I'll say this again and again - I think she's done. Has she told me what she's going to do? No. But I know this woman, and I know she's just getting started, really. "she said.