Voters handed Vice President Kamala Harris a decisive defeat earlier this month by backing President-elect Donald Trump on Election Day.

In response, the vice president vanished from Washington last week by heading off to Hawaii for a vacation that has left some staffers baffled.

White House defends Harris' trip

According to Fox News, Harris arrived in the Aloha State this past Tuesday while being accompanied by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

The network noted that Harris' absence came even as many Democratic staff members are expressing concerns over the future.

However, the vice president's decision to take some rest and relaxation was defended in a briefing by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a briefing on Thursday.

"The vice president has taken time off to go spend time with her family. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that," Jean-Pierre was quoted as telling reporters.

"I think she deserves some time to be with her family and to have some downtime. She has worked very hard over – for the last four years, and her taking a couple of days to be with her family, good for her. Good for her," the press secretary went on to add.

Harris may come back to help with judicial nominees

Nevertheless, Fox News pointed out how Harris' departure coincides with a renewed push by Senate Democrats to confirm President Joe Biden's judicial appointments before his term ends.

Harris disappears from spotlight, vacations in Hawaii after election loss https://t.co/YwWxZs8pWe

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 24, 2024

"This is something they want to clear the decks on," a senior Harris aide was quoted as telling NBC News, with another saying that judicial nominees are "a big focus."

While this could require the vice president to cast a tie-breaking vote, another senior aide insisted Harris "will definitely be available" should she need to return.

"We are going to use the lame duck to confirm judges," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told NBC News. "And we’re going to do everything we can to get as many judges done as possible, trying to overcome the Republican obstruction."

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren sounded a similar note, stating, "The goal is to fill every judicial nomination that we can."

For his part, Trump has taken to social media and called on Republican senators to prevent any more judicial confirmations before he is sworn into office.