Air Force 2 experiences ‘technical issue’ with VP Harris on board

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• AIR Force Two had a “technical issue” on Sunday as Vice President Kamala Harris was on board.
• The plane safely returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
• Harris was set to go to Guatemala and Mexico to address the ongoing crisis at the US-Mexico border.

Just 30 minutes after taking off in Maryland Sunday, AIR Force Two, with Vice President Kamala Harris on board, was forced to go back following a “technical issue.”

The plane was bound to Guatemala and Mexico for Harris’ first international trip as the second commander-in-chief.

The plane was able to return safely to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland around 3 pm EST.  Per Symone Sanders, Harris’ spokesman, there was a technical issue though it did not pose any “major safety concerns.”

According to DailyMail.com, the crew reportedly heard an “unusual sound” which was believed to come from the plane’s landing gear as it took off.

Shortly after exiting the plane upon landing, the vice president sent a thumbs-up to the media from the tarmac.

“I’m good, I’m good. We all said a little prayer, but we’re good,” she told reporters.

Harris was scheduled to travel with another plane after an hour. She said that her trip to Mexico and Guatemala will aid in getting to the “root” of the US border crisis.

She said that she already got in touch with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. 

She will first go to Guatemala to have a sit down discussion with Giammattei on Monday. The vice president is also set to meet with Guatemalan community leaders and entrepreneurs. Then on Tuesday, she will go to Mexico City and meet with López Obrador. She would also meet with Mexican women entrepreneurs and labor leaders.

According to the White House, Harris’ trips to the two countries aim to come up with long-term solutions to address the ongoing immigration crisis. As of the present, there are no concrete plans on how to manage the influx of thousands of migrants crossing the US border.

Harris has faced criticisms from GOP leaders for not visiting the border despite being tapped by President Joe Biden as the border czar. Local Republicans urged her to visit the border.

The White House, though, said that going to the US side of the border was not included in the itinerary of the vice president.

Source: The Sun