Vice President Kamala Harris’ team has started its initial presidential transition planning, including turning to a veteran of Joe Biden’s transition effort to lead the operation.
Yohannes Abraham, who was executive director of the Biden presidential transition team and worked closely with Harris when she was vice president-elect, will lead Harris’ transition effort, according to a person familiar with the planning.
Abraham, a veteran of the Obama White House and presidential campaigns, has been serving as the U.S. ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 2022. Abraham is expected to leave that Senate-confirmed post before starting work on the Harris transition operation.
Both Harris and former President Donald Trump are launching their transition operations as the presidential campaign heads into its final stretch. Those teams play critical roles in ensuring a smooth transition of power between administrations and in vetting political appointees.
