Vice President Kamala Harris’ flight on Air Force Two was redirected to Washington’s Dulles International Airport following severe weather conditions. Originally destined for Joint Base Andrews, the change in plans occurred on Tuesday night as Harris returned from a speaking event in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kirsten Allen, the Vice President’s press secretary, confirmed the diversion, stating, “Tonight, en route from Atlanta, GA, Air Force 2 was diverted from Joint Base Andrews to Dulles International Airport due to inclement weather.”
During her Atlanta visit, Harris focused on voting rights issues and engaged in a roundtable discussion with local community leaders. The visit was part of her ongoing advocacy for voting rights, which she highlighted as a critical issue in Georgia.
An anonymous source informed the Associated Press that the aircraft experienced wind shear while approaching a potent storm that affected the Washington, D.C., area with strong winds and heavy rainfall. Wind shear, a rapid change in wind direction or speed, poses significant risks during aircraft takeoffs and landings.
Air Force Two is the designated call sign for any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President.
In her remarks in Atlanta, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, Harris labeled Georgia as a pivotal battleground for voting rights. She addressed various challenges, including gerrymandering, voting integrity disputes, and the increasing scrutiny and criticism faced by election poll workers. Harris expressed concern over these issues, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the attacks on democratic freedoms and rights in the United States.