Former President Joe Biden’s allies are reportedly prepared to “escalate” tensions if former Vice President Kamala Harris questions his mental fitness in her upcoming book, according to political journalist Mark Halperin. Speaking on The Morning Meeting, Halperin suggested Biden loyalists are ready to leak damaging stories about Harris if she threatens the president’s image.

Halperin compared the situation to former GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, saying stories about Harris’s readiness as vice president could become “Palinesque.” He claimed Biden’s team worked hard to prepare Harris for national leadership, only to conclude she was “not up to this.” If the Biden camp feels challenged, Halperin warned, stories will emerge painting Harris as unprepared and difficult to work with.

Authors Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper echo these frustrations in their book Original Sin, describing Harris as a “regular headache” who avoided politically risky tasks and was perceived by Biden’s staff as disengaged and unlikeable. Some aides even expressed regret that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wasn’t chosen instead.

Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee has called former Biden aides to testify about the president’s mental state and his use of autopen for official documents. While Harris hasn’t been asked to testify, the possibility remains open.

Concerns over Biden’s health resurfaced after a recent appearance at a lawyers’ gala where he appeared disoriented and stumbled over his words. The event follows his disclosure of an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis and has reignited debate over his fitness for office.