Kamala Harris’ chief of staff, criticized for tough tactics, built reputation while working for Bill Clinton

Tina Flournoy, the chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris, has established a reputation as a tough gatekeeper, using similar tactics to those she used while overseeing former President Bill Clinton’s post-White House office.

Flournoy’s tight approach, which includes blocking longtime allies from contacting Harris, has led to both praise and criticism.

It also has created tension within the vice president’s team and among her outside confidants and donors. Politico reported on Wednesday that there is dysfunction in Harris’ office and that much of the frustration stems from Flournoy. She oversaw about 10 employees in Clinton’s office, while the vice president’s office typically has a staff of up to 100 people.

Several people who say they were close to Clinton before Flournoy became his chief of staff in 2013 spoke to CNBC after a story published earlier this week described her management of access to Harris.