One of Vice President Kamala Harris’ last tasks before the Trump administration takes over is swearing in members of the Senate, but that didn’t go entirely according to plan.
Harris was on Capitol Hill for the opening of the 119th Congress, while she is president of the Senate and swears in all senators.
But the vice president mixed up the Pledge of Allegiance in the Senate chamber at the start of the ceremony.
Harris could be heard asking senators to join her in the pledge as she turns to the American flag and begins.
But the vice president then botched the first sentence by saying, “I pledge allegiance to the United States -” instead of “I pledge allegiance to the flag.”
After mixing up the start, Harris was able to quickly pick up where she left off and successfully complete the pledge, but her fumble did not go unnoticed.
The vice president then proceeded to take the oath of office before the newly elected and re-elected senators, continuing the awkward situation as she came face to face with the man who will replace her as vice president.
Vice President-elect JD Vance was there to support newly elected Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, just weeks before he replaces Harris after President-elect Trump defeated her in November’s presidential election.
The Ohio senator was all smiles as he stood just feet away from her as she took the oath of office before Moreno and other senators.
Neither Harris nor Vance appeared to engage in conversation, but both continued to smile and shake hands with the newly sworn-in senators before another group was led in to take the oath.
Vance wasn’t the only Republican Harris came face-to-face with on Friday who had criticized her in Congress or during the campaign in recent years, including some who refused to pronounce her first name correctly.
Vice President-elect JD Vance grins as he stands behind Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno as he is sworn in on January 3
Vance was just feet away from Vice President Harris as she administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected senators on January 3.
Despite the nasty politics of the recent election, Republican senators and the vice president put aside their differences for the occasion and greeted each other warmly with smiles and handshakes.
However, there was one person who appeared to be taking a dig at Republicans on the floor of the Senate.
Former Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski joined newly elected Senator Angela Alsobrooks for her swearing-in.
As the former lawmaker greeted the vice president, she was heard emphasizing “Kamala.”
“I just wanted to get your name right in the Senate,” Mikulski said clearly from the Senate floor.
Harris will participate in a ceremonial swearing-in with GOP Sen. Josh Hawley and his family on Jan. 3
Harris takes the oath of office before Republican Senator Ted Cruz as his family looks on during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony
Newly sworn-in Republican Senator from Pennsylvania David McCormick with his wife Dina Powell (center) introduces the vice president to five of his six daughters who were present for his swearing-in
Newly elected Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey shares a moment with his children and the vice president on January 3
Senator Tim Sheehy’s son watches in a cowboy hat as the vice president takes the oath of office for Montana’s junior senator
In another cringe-inducing moment, Harris was left looking uncomfortable as Republican Sen. Deb Fischer’s husband shook her hand.
The interaction took place during the one-on-one ceremonial swearing-in of senators with their families on Friday.
Harris greeted the Democratic and Republican senators as they introduced their spouses and children, but Fischer’s husband stayed far away from the vice president when it was their turn.
Harris even joked, “I don’t bite” as he stepped forward to hold the Bible for his wife.
After taking the oath, Harris and the Nebraska senator shook hands and smiled.
But when the vice president addressed her to Bruce, the senator’s husband, he left her hanging and said “thank you” before shoving his hands in his pockets.