Top Kamala Harris aide to leave for Defense Department

Another of Vice President Kamala Harris’ top aides is leaving his office. Sabrina Singh, Harris’ current undersecretary of press, is moving to the Department of Defense for a new position, according to an internal e-mail obtained by CBS News detailing staff changes in the vice president’s office.

Jamal Simmons, the vice president’s communications director, wrote in the note the “sad news” of Singh’s departure. “We’re going to miss his institutional knowledge, his strategic advice and his fast email fingers,” Simmons said.

Singh’s announcement marks the departure of one of Harris’ oldest aides in an office with many newcomers in the vice president’s orbit. Harris first hired Singh in March 2020 to lead communications for his political operations. Singh became a key adviser to Harris during the silent campaign of prominent Democrats to join Joe Biden’s ticket. He also worked for Harris during the general election and transition. Singh has served as undersecretary of press since the beginning of the administration.

Simmons’ email also described several internal promotions and a new recruitment. A source familiar with the staff changes told CBS News that the vice president plans to “reconfigure” her communications department amid departures last year from former Harris press secretary Symone Sanders and communications director Ashley Etienne.

Harris’ new deputy press secretary will be Ernesto “Ernie” Apreza. Apreza, who currently works in the White House Office of Public Participation, previously worked in the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign, as well as in the 2019 Harris presidential campaign.

No announcement has been made about a new press secretary, but Simmons told staff in the email that a new press secretary has been hired: “She will be a fantastic leader” of the communications team, she wrote.

According to the email sent to employees, Apreza also plans to involve the state and local press, as well as various coalition media groups and key groups. Harris was looking for an experienced Democratic agent to take on a new Hispanic outreach role before the midterm elections.

Other changes to Harris’ office include promotions for Herbie Ziskend and Rachel Palermo. Ziskend, who currently serves as Deputy Director of Communications, will become a Senior Communications Advisor. Palermo will become the new Deputy Director of Communication.