Biden’s Dog Bites Secret Service 24 Times: Inside the Chaos

Clear Facts

• President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, has reportedly bitten Secret Service agents 24 times, as per internal USSS documents obtained by CNN.
• The biting incidents occurred at various locations, including the White House, Biden family homes, and Camp David, and involved members of the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the president’s protective detail, and other USSS officials.
• Despite the family’s efforts to manage Commander’s behavior, the dog was eventually removed from the White House and now lives with other family members.

Reports have surfaced indicating that President Joe Biden’s German Shepherd, Commander, has been involved in a series of biting incidents. These incidents, which number as many as 24, have targeted Secret Service agents at the White House and other locations.

CNN obtained internal United States Secret Service (USSS) documents that reveal the extent of the issue. The documents were accessed through a Freedom of Information Act request and show that the situation had become a significant workplace concern for the staff supporting White House operations.

“The new documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, reveal the extent to which the situation had become a serious workplace issue for the hundreds of staff supporting White House operations, and how agency personnel changed their habits to avoid being injured by the German shepherd,” CNN reported.

An anonymous assistant special agent in charge of the USSS Presidential Protective Division sent an email to their team in June 2023. The email stated that agents “must be creative to ensure our own personal safety” and that the recent dog bites have necessitated adjustments in operational tactics when Commander is present.

“The recent dog bites have challenged us to adjust our operational tactics when Commander is present – please give lots of room,” the email read.

Despite these precautions, the biting incidents continued, prompting the White House to remove Commander from the premises. One Secret Service technician expressed concern in October 2022, stating they were “worried about the family pets behavior escalating and that … something worse was going to happen to others.”

The biting incidents involved various members of the Secret Service and took place at different locations, including the White House, Biden family homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Camp David, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

A source close to the Bidens revealed that the family feels “awful” and “heartbroken” about the incidents. The source said, “They’ve been heartbroken over this. They’ve apologized to those who have been bitten, taken flowers to some. They feel awful. Commander was over-protective, and even though they tried and tried to work on it, they had to let him go live with other members of their family.”

Commander joined the Biden family as a puppy in December 2021, and the biting incidents began in October 2022. Elizabeth Alexander, first lady Jill Biden’s communications director, confirmed that Commander has been kept away from all White House staff and Secret Service agents since other family members took him in.

“The president and first lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day. Despite additional dog training, leashing, working with veterinarians, and consulting with animal behaviorists, the White House environment simply proved too much for Commander,” she said.

The severity of the incidents is underscored by an email from Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for USSS, dated July 29, 2023. The email called for crafting potential public responses to a severe incident at the president’s residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where Commander was found “loose and off-leash” and caused a deep open wound on an agent’s forearm.

The agent required six stitches and was treated on-site by the White House medical unit. Other incidents include a bite on an agent’s forearm while holding a door open, an injury to a uniform division officer’s right arm and right quad requiring hospital treatment, and a bite on an agent in the presence of the first family.

The Biden family’s previous dog, Major, was also involved in biting incidents. Reports in 2021 suggested that the White House downplayed these incidents, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki claiming that one attack occurred after Major was “surprised by an unfamiliar person.”

However, unsealed documents revealed that the injuries were “severe” rather than minor, and the bite occurred after the dog bit agents over eight consecutive days. Major was later sent to live with friends in Delaware, and the Biden family adopted Commander.

Clear Thoughts (op-ed)

The recent revelations about President Biden’s dog, Commander, biting Secret Service agents on multiple occasions are quite concerning. It seems the White House has been downplaying the severity of these incidents, much like they did with their previous dog, Major.

The fact that Secret Service agents had to adjust their operational tactics to protect themselves from Commander’s aggressive behavior is a testament to the gravity of the situation. The question arises: why wasn’t this issue addressed sooner?

The Bidens may indeed feel “heartbroken” and “awful” about the incidents, but it’s important to remember the safety of the people serving in the White House. It’s high time that the administration takes the necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of their staff and the Secret Service agents who risk their lives daily to protect the president and his family.

Ultimately, the removal of Commander from the White House was a necessary step, but the administration should have acted sooner and more transparently in dealing with this issue.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source