Unleashing the Truth: Surprising Number of White House Biting Incidents Involving Biden's Dog, Commander

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden's 2-year-old German shepherd, Commander, has been involved in a greater number of biting incidents at the White House than previously disclosed, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Although the US Secret Service has acknowledged 11 reported biting incidents involving its personnel, sources speaking to CNN have revealed that the actual number is higher and includes executive residence staff and other White House workers. The severity of these bites has varied, with one incident necessitating hospitalization, some requiring attention from the White House Medical Unit, and others going unreported and untreated.

Commander is not currently present on the White House campus, according to information obtained by CNN. The President and First Lady are actively seeking resolutions to the ongoing issue. In a statement shared exclusively with CNN, Elizabeth Alexander, the first lady's communications director, expressed their deep concern for the safety of White House personnel and their gratitude towards the U.S. Secret Service and all those involved for their patience and support.

Alexander stated that the Commander is currently not at the White House campus as they assess the next steps to take.

It is unclear if there is an official tally of the bites, and Anthony Guglielmi, the US Secret Service chief of communications, informed CNN that a complete number is not available. CNN interviewed four sources who are familiar with the incidents and work at the White House complex, as well as additional sources with knowledge of the situation. None of them were able to provide an exact count of the incidents, some of which may not have been thoroughly investigated like the 11 known cases. Although hospitals and urgent cares in the DC area are required to report patients treated for dog bites to the DC Department of Health, the White House Medical Unit is not obligated to report such incidents as it operates under federal jurisdiction.

One person with knowledge of the events indicated that the first family's colleagues have been making efforts to adjust Secret Service workplace habits in light of broader concerns about workplace safety while supporting the President at the White House. These incidents have also highlighted tensions between the Bidens and the US Secret Service. Sources have suggested that the strained relationship between the first family and the Secret Service began when their older dog, Major, injured an unnamed Secret Service agent before ultimately being permanently sent to Delaware. This incident resulted in a breach of trust, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Furthermore, Major was involved in biting incidents with an engineer, as witnessed by an individual, and a National Park Service employee, as previously reported by CNN in spring 2021.

The Bidens enjoyed a positive relationship with the Secret Service during the vice presidency. However, the Major situation caused stress for the couple when they first arrived at the White House. This tension laid the groundwork for a difficult relationship with the Secret Service. It was further exacerbated by frequent last-minute schedule changes, including spending most weekends away from the White House, and unrealistic requests that strained the agency's resources. This strained relationship was fueled by concerns about the political loyalty of USSS agents to former President Donald Trump, as shared by Biden allies during the presidential transition in late 2020.

Guglielmi vehemently denied any claims of tension between the Secret Service and the Bidens.

"With firsthand knowledge, I can confidently assert that these reports are completely untrue. The Secret Service and the first family have an exceptional level of trust and respect for each other, and we are aware that these sentiments are reciprocated," Guglielmi informed CNN.

We have to speak up

Despite claims that Commander would be trained, there continues to be a recurrence of biting incidents. The most recent verified occurrence of a bite took place on Monday. Additionally, the White House has chosen not to respond to CNN's inquiry regarding the exact number of biting incidents involving Commander.

"We are no longer concerned about trust being shattered. It is imperative that we voice our concerns," revealed an unnamed individual familiar with the President's Secret Service detail.

This confidential source, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about an unwelcoming and perilous work atmosphere. They alluded to agents being cautioned to use specific entrances and steer clear of certain areas to prevent encounters with the dog. The Secret Service employs radio communication to notify agents when the dog is outside, and officers make a deliberate effort to avoid that vicinity.

A supervisor informed the source about numerous incidents of Commander biting during the previous summer, indicating the seriousness of the situation. The Secret Service is currently coordinating with the White House to determine the most effective approach to operate in this environment.

"The Secret Service is responsible for maintaining the security of the White House complex while minimizing any disruption to its occupants. The safety and welfare of our staff is of utmost importance, and although our special agents and officers are not directly involved in the care or handling of the first family's pets, we are actively collaborating with the White House to enhance our guidelines for operating in a pet-friendly environment," stated Guglielmi.

The reported incidents of bites have varied in terms of seriousness, with one of the previous cases being described as "playful."

According to an email obtained by the conservative group Judicial Watch in October 2022, a Captain from the USSS Uniformed Division commented that the dog appeared to be playful, but this playful behavior can escalate into a dangerous situation rapidly. The email also mentioned a November 2022 incident, as previously reported, where a Uniformed Division USSS officer had to be hospitalized for evaluation. Furthermore, the recent incident last week necessitated treatment from medical personnel on the White House complex.

US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden, play with their dog Commander at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on December 28, 2021.

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Commander becoming a serious issue at the White House

The White House has downplayed the media reports and analysis regarding CNN's coverage of last week's incident, referring reporters to past statements about the stressful environment at the White House. However, Jonathan Wackrow, a former US Secret Service Agent and current CNN contributor who served on Michelle Obama's security detail, believes that the situation cannot be overlooked.

According to Wackrow, it is essential to acknowledge the problem by using an analogy: "Imagine you are the owner or CEO of a company, and you bring your dog to work. However, if your dog continuously bites employees, it creates an unsafe work environment. This is similar to what is happening now."

The Bidens have taken this situation seriously, according to a White House official.

"The official stated that they have been diligently collaborating with the Secret Service, trainers, veterinarians, residence staff, and various other individuals on this matter. Their commitment to addressing this issue has been evident for several months."

According to a source familiar with the situation, the Bidens have been dog owners for a considerable amount of time. Similar to any other loved one in the family, the behavior of their dogs is a delicate topic for staff members to discuss.

"The pets are regarded as their own children, forming strong bonds with their owners due to the love and care they receive, just like any other member of the family," stated Michael LaRosa, the previous press secretary to the first lady.

Champ, another German shepherd, resided at the vice president's residence, which had a significantly lower security presence. Sadly, Champ passed away at the Biden family home in Wilmington, Delaware, in June 2021 at the age of 13.

LaRosa stated that the President and First Lady experienced a "jarring" and "abrupt disruption" in their family life due to the loss of their dogs Champ and Major, who passed away and were sent away, respectively, within a span of six months. LaRosa emphasized that the public exposure of these challenges and the subsequent loss added to the stress faced by the President and First Lady.

@POTUS/Twitter

A hard adjustment to White House life

Bringing Champ and Major to the White House was an adjustment, Jill Biden told Kelly Clarkson during a 2021 appearance on her talk show.

"They are required to ride the elevator, which they are not accustomed to, and must venture out onto the South Lawn where they are observed by numerous people. This has been my primary focus - ensuring that everyone is settled and composed," she explained.

While in Washington, the first lady walks the dog early in the morning before going to school for the day. However, throughout the day, a rotating team of executive residence staff members are responsible for walking the dog and transporting both Commander and the cat, Willow, in separate cages when the Bidens travel to their weekend destinations, according to a source with knowledge of the process.

According to Ryan Bulson, a local dog trainer and president of Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, the lack of consistency may contribute to the behavioral problem. German shepherds require structure, consistency, and boundaries as they are a guardian breed. Bulson noted that when observing different people holding the leash, there is a noticeable lack of consistency in terms of tension, distance, and command wording, such as "heel" or "walk."

Bulson, who is knowledgeable about German shepherds and works as a dog trainer, has not personally worked with Commander. He also does not possess any insider information about the walking process.

Prior to this, White House officials stated that Commander would undergo remedial training. However, it remains uncertain whether this training has occurred following the reporting of 10 incidents during the summer.

After completing the training, Bulson emphasized the importance of all dog owners and handlers aligning their communication and diligently continuing with ongoing training. He cautioned that retraining Commander, who has shown aggression and has repeated it, might pose a challenge.

When asked if it was too late, Bulson responded that it is ultimately up to the Bidens. He emphasized that if the Bidens do not change their own behaviors first, it will be impossible to address the dogs' behaviors. He described this as enabling and stressed the necessity for the Bidens to alter the way they handle and care for the dog. Only by making a conscious effort and committing to change can they provide the dog with the necessary support. Bulson emphasized that the decision lies in their hands.

An uneven set of rules

The situation also underscores an uneven set of rules applying to a White House pet - though the legal ground itself is murky.

Local DC laws do not apply to federal properties, such as the White House grounds, as stated by a DC Council official. The White House is governed by federal jurisdiction. Nonetheless, there is a lack of federal laws that specifically address, regulate, or safeguard animals, resulting in a notable gap, according to Kathy Hessler, the assistant dean for animal legal education at George Washington University Law School.

There is a possibility that individuals could claim that the DC code applies even in the absence of federal regulation. Conversely, an argument could be made for the opposite. The outcome of such a dispute is unclear," Hessler stated.

According to Hessler, under the DC code, which applies to all dogs in Washington, dog bites must be reported. This triggers a process to quarantine the animal to ensure there is no risk of rabies. Subsequently, a decision is made based on the specific circumstances of the bite to determine if the dog is dangerous. This may result in a fine of several hundred dollars, and impoundment is a more severe potential consequence.

With the increasing number of incidents involving Commander, Hessler emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation for the safety and welfare of the dog, White House staff, and the Biden family.

Hessler proposed the simple solution of temporarily removing Commander from the current environment to observe if these behaviors can be improved or if they persist in a different setting. This would provide valuable data for making an informed decision on whether the current arrangement is feasible or if alternative measures need to be considered for the well-being of everyone involved, as stated by Hessler.

All of this has resulted in a challenging situation for the first family, for those who believe they have been put in harm's way, and unfortunately, for the dog.

"I don't care if we were discussing the president or the pope, it holds no significance for me. I focus on the dog. ... Ultimately, my greatest concern lies with the well-being of the dog. Additionally, I empathize with the individuals who have been bitten by the dog. It seems that the dog has been put in a position where it is doomed to fail. If you cannot provide the dog with what it needs, then it would be better to get a goldfish," Bulson expressed.