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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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A staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris has come to the vice president's defense after a report described her management style as the reason for a recent staff exodus.
"Hi. My name is David Gins," Harris' office deputy director of operations tweeted on Sunday with a photo of himself at his desk. "I work for Vice President Harris on behalf of the American people as Deputy Director for Operations and absolutely love my job.
"Just thought some of you should know."
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Gins' tweet comes as several are set to leave their roles, and after reports that Harris' office has been plagued by dysfunction and infighting for months.
Symone Sanders, Harris's chief spokesperson and senior adviser, is the highest profile staffer leaving Harris' office. Communications director Ashley Etienne and two other staffers who also works in roles that shaped Harris' public image are also set to depart.
Sanders told The Washington Post that she is not leaving because she was unhappy in her role, but because she is keen for a break after three years.
"I'm getting married next year. I would like to plan my wedding. You know, I have earned a break. So me deciding that I'm leaving has absolutely nothing to do with my unhappiness," she said. "I feel honored every single day to work for the vice president who gave me an opportunity to be her spokesperson at the highest levels."
But Gil Duran, a former Harris aide who quit after five months in 2013, told the Post that the vice president was the "common denominator" behind the recent departures. Another former staffer who was not named described the vice president as a "bully" and said staff constantly endure "soul-destroying criticism.'
In recent days, current Harris staffers have tweeted positively about working in the vice president's office.
"I am truly blessed to work with such a kind, thoughtful, and devoted group of people! Thank you to everyone who made yesterday super special including our amazing @VP," Juan Ortego tweeted in response to another staffer's tweet that showed Harris taking part in his birthday celebration.
Last week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki also defended the departures from Harris' office, saying it is not unusual for staff to leave at the year-end mark.
"In my experience, and if you look at past precedent, it's natural for staffers who have thrown their heart and soul into a job to be ready to move on to a new challenge after a few years," Psaki told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.
"And that is applicable to many of these individuals. It's also an opportunity, as it is in any White House, to bring in new faces, new voices and new perspectives."
Gins and the vice president's office has been contacted for comment.
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