Who is Jamal Simmons? Everything to know about the former Kamala Harris advisor as he calls for Biden to resign and make her the president

Kamala Harris' former advisor Jamal Simmons claimed that Joe Biden should resign and make Harris the first female United States president. Simmons used to be a communications director for the current Vice President, serving in the position from January 2022 to 2023. Simmons has also previously worked in the presidential campaigns of Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

During a Sunday, November 10, appearance on CNN's State of the Union hosted by Dana Bash, Simmons called for Biden's resignation and Harris' installment as president. Simmons claimed that this move would absolve Harris from having to oversee a transition of her own defeat and also dominate the news at the same time. Jamal Simmons stuck by his statement later on X and tweeted:

"Biden should resign and make Kamala #47. What I said on @CNNSOTU this morning."

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"This is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate"- Jamal Simmons on a potential Kamala Harris presidency

Jamal Simmons is no stranger to the White House. Simmons played a role in Bill Clinton and Al Gore's successful 1992 presidential campaign, serving as a press assistant. He later served in the same position at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and became a White House Advance Team Member and a U.S. Department of Commerce Special Assistant to the Secretary.

Simmons was also a part of Al Gore's unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign, serving as the DNC's Deputy Communications Director at the time. Following the election loss, Simmons worked in various capacities for politicians like Wesley Clarke, former Georgia Senator, Max Cleland, former Florida Governor Bob Graham, and former Michigan representative Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick.

Later on in January 2022, Jamal Simmons became involved with the Biden administration. The Harvard Kennedy School alumnus was made The Deputy Assistant to the President and Communications Director to the Vice President. Simmons served in the position until January 2023. He is currently the President of Dexter Davison Productions and also works as a CNN political commentator.

On Sunday, November 10, Jamal Simmons made an appearance on CNN State of the Union alongside Scott Jennings, Ashley Allison, and Brad Todd. During the episode, the panel discussed what the most important thing was for the Biden administration to do before Donald Trump took office in 71 days. Simmons, who was asked the question first, replied:

"Joe Biden’s been a phenomenal president. He’s lived up to so many of the promises he’s made. There’s one promise left that he can fulfill: being a transitional figure. He should resign the presidency in the next 30 days and make Kamala Harris the president of the United States."

He added:

"It would absolve her from having to oversee the January 6 transition of her own defeat. And it would make sure, it would dominate the news, at a point where Democrats have to learn drama and transparency and doing things the public wants to see. This is the moment for us to change the entire perspective of how Democrats operate,"

Jamal's answer took the rest of the panel by surprise as all of them were seen smiling in bewilderment as host Dana Bash noted that Jamal's idea made the astonishing jump from an "internet meme to a Sunday morning show". Former special assistant to former President George W. Bush, Scott Jennings joked that Simmons was writing his own season of House of Cards.

When asked about what the Supreme Court would have to say, Jamal Simmons claimed that this was something under Joe Biden's control. He further added that it would disrupt "all of Donald Trump‘s paraphernalia", force him to rebrand, and make it easier for a potential future female president by taking away the weight of being the first.