Vice President Harris Discusses Contingency Plans for Biden

Vice President Kamala Harris has revealed that her inner circle developed a “red file” plan in case anything “traumatic” happens to President Joe Biden. This contingency strategy was put together by her brother-in-law, Tony West, well in advance of any announcements about Biden’s reelection campaign.

In her book, Harris mentions that West initiated this “red file” about a year ago. He suggested that this plan was essential, especially in the event of unexpected crises. “If something were to happen, it would be sheer negligence on my part not to be prepared,” she quoted him saying.

West’s plan includes a list of calls to various global and political leaders, as well as outlines for her initial statements and how to manage the transition. Harris remarked that the need for this file only became more pressing as pressure mounted on Biden.

She acknowledged, “If these traumatic moments arise, it’s smart for him to prepare for the first crucial days so that we aren’t making rash decisions amid chaos.” Yet, Harris felt uneasy about contemplating such scenarios and preferred to leave these decisions in Biden’s hands.

During a family weekend, West convened with four key members of Harris’s team to discuss the wilderness of what could happen if Biden unexpectedly exited the race. “What if he drops out tomorrow?” he posed, prompting serious discussions about their next steps.

Harris’ communications chief, Brian Fallon, attended that pivotal meeting. The news of Biden’s withdrawal broke on July 21, 2024, just as Harris’s team was gearing up for the Democratic National Convention. Their initial assumption was that they wouldn’t have to deal with such a drastic change.

Once Harris spoke with Biden and learned of his decision, she quickly reached out to West. Harris recalls saying to him, “If we don’t handle this right, it could tarnish his entire legacy.” They shared a moment of shock and uncertainty as they discussed the implications of the announcement.

After Biden expressed his support for her candidacy, Harris thanked him and promised, “I’ll be proud of you.” In a touching moment, Biden encouraged her by saying, “You’ll do great things, kid.” Less than half an hour later, Biden announced his exit from the race, followed closely by voicing his support for Harris as the Democratic candidate.

Although Harris was reluctant to engage in debates about the “red file,” her preparedness allowed her to launch her campaign swiftly, just 107 days later. West effectively became part of her advisory committee, aiding in crucial decisions such as selecting running mates.

Currently, West serves as Uber’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, and he’s been recognized as a key figure in previous administrations, including service as deputy attorney general during President Obama’s tenure. Harris notes their collaboration started at law school, leading to their eventual marriage after graduation.

In her book, she describes him as a thought leader in politics and reminisces about their family life, even humorously referring to their son as their “50-year-old teenage son.” Biden’s team did not respond to requests for comment regarding Harris’s book.