• Vice President Kamala Harris did not invite JD Vance for a pre-inaugural tour of the Vice President's residence.
• Usha Vance, JD's wife, inquired about childproofing the residence for their three young children.
• Previous VP transitions included formal meetings, but this instance follows a more contentious political campaign.
• Despite no informal invitation, the Vance family has communicated details regarding the residence's layout.
• The official residence at the Naval Observatory has seen different practices among recent Vice Presidents.

In a notable departure from tradition, Vice President Kamala Harris has not extended an invitation to JD Vance and his family for a pre-inaugural tour of the Vice Presidential residence at the Naval Observatory. Sources confirmed that no formal sit-down or tour has been arranged for the incoming Vice President, marking a shift away from customary protocols as previously observed during other transitions. This information was initially reported by CBS News and subsequently confirmed by multiple outlets, including CNN.

Attempts by Usha Vance, JD's wife, to gather details on how to childproof the residence for their young children were met with initial hurdles. Communication efforts from Usha included inquiries about safety modifications needed for their three children, Ewan, Vivek, and Miravel, all under eight years old. While her questions faced some reluctance from Harris’ political appointee, they later led to discussions with Navy aides who manage the residence. Following these communications, Navy officials provided a thorough overview of the residence layout to assist the Vance family's move, as reported by India Times.

The backdrop of this decision reflects a particularly contentious political landscape, as JD Vance previously referred to Harris using derogatory language during the campaign, showcasing a notable absence of goodwill. Since the November 2024 elections, Harris and Vance have not communicated directly, though post-election calls were made to President-elect Trump by Harris. Tradition held by previous administrations, such as that of Joe Biden and Mike Pence in 2016, involved cordial meetings at the Vice presidential residence, further highlighting the anomaly of this situation. Despite the absence of a formal invitation for a tour, Vance and Harris's staff engaged in discussions addressing logistical aspects of the upcoming transition. As Vance prepares for his new role, the evolving dynamics of Washington continue to shape interactions among its leaders.