The 119th Congress convened on January 3, 2024, with Vice President Kamala Harris dutifully swearing in the incoming class of U.S. Senators. It was a rare public appearance for Harris, who has largely kept a low profile since her defeat in the 2024 election by Donald Trump. One could only imagine the enthusiasm—or lack thereof—she felt for the occasion. Among the highlights was an encounter with Senator JD Vance, who took the opportunity to engage in some good-natured trolling. Clearly, he was enjoying himself, knowing that the next few weeks would likely bring more victories for his side.
The ceremonial start of the Senate term provided an even more awkward moment when Harris attempted to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. You’d think reciting a staple of American civic life would be a layup for the sitting vice president. But alas, she fumbled it. Forgetting the phrase “the flag” didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Considering the pledge revolves around that very object, it was a gaffe tailor-made for internet ridicule, and social media didn’t hold back. Memes and commentary poured in, showcasing Harris’s struggle as yet another emblem of her political shortcomings.
This little slip-up might seem trivial, but it speaks volumes about why Harris’s political career has floundered. Let’s not forget how her rise began—by cozying up to one of California’s most infamous political figures, Willie Brown. Through this connection, she landed plum board positions, which Brown later admitted gave her a significant leg up. With his backing, Harris entered public office, riding California’s Democrat machine to higher positions of power. Yet her tenure as San Francisco’s District Attorney and later California’s Attorney General was anything but stellar, marked by controversies and inconsistent policies that critics argue served more ambition than justice.
From there, Harris ascended to the U.S. Senate, where she became a fixture in partisan theatrics, most notably during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. While the media swooned over her soundbites, substantive achievements were noticeably absent. That didn’t stop her from launching a presidential campaign, bolstered by initial enthusiasm and hefty fundraising. Yet despite her perceived advantages, her campaign crashed and burned before the first vote was cast in Iowa. Her inability to connect with voters—outside the echo chambers of party operatives and friendly press—was glaring.
Of course, what the voters rejected, Joe Biden resurrected. Harris’s selection as his running mate had less to do with merit and more to do with checking boxes on the Democrat ticket. Her tenure as vice president has largely been defined by missteps and missed opportunities, with this latest episode serving as just another reminder of why her political career has struggled to gain genuine traction. For someone once heralded as a rising star, Harris’s stumble at the start of this new Congress felt almost symbolic—a reflection of a trajectory marked more by hype than substance.
Kamala Harris not knowing all the words to the Pledge of Allegiance is her political career in a nutshell.pic.twitter.com/Kd6M3i9ydz
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 3, 2025
