Guarding the White House has always been a risky task, and for the Biden administration, the source of danger came from none other than the president’s own dog. Commander, the German shepherd belonging to President Biden, was ultimately prohibited from entering the White House premises due to nearly 25 biting incidents.
USA Today recently obtained records from the United States Secret Service, which meticulously documented these incidents occurring between October 2022 and a significant portion of 2023, during which Commander displayed aggressive behavior. The comprehensive 269-page report, made public in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, provides a detailed account of each incident, ranging from minor scratches to more severe injuries. Approximately 11 individuals required medical attention as a result. Ultimately, in October 2023, Commander was compelled to leave the White House.
As reported by USA Today, the report reveals that Secret Service agents and various White House and Navy personnel were bitten on various body parts, including their arms, hands, thighs, back, wrists, elbows, waist, chest, and even an agent’s ammunition magazine pouch. In one particular instance, tours of the East Wing had to be temporarily suspended in order to clean up the bloodstains left behind by one of Commander’s bites near the Booksellers Room.
“Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi reiterated this week that the department ‘takes the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously,’” USA Today reported.
“The incidents involving Commander were treated as workplace injuries, with events documented in accordance with Secret Service and US Department of Homeland Security guidelines,” Guglielmi wrote in an email. “While Secret Service personnel neither handle nor care for the first family’s pets, we work continuously with all applicable entities in order to minimize any adverse impacts from family pets.”
During a particular incident, an agent was bitten while attempting to keep the door open for First Lady Jill Biden, as stated in the report. Commander jumped and bit the agent on the chest, resulting in two lacerations and a torn shirt.
Numerous reports indicate that Commander was not on a leash during the attacks. These incidents were not only confined to the White House, but also took place at Camp David, Nantucket, and Rehoboth Beach. Agents were given guidance on how to manage Commander in case of a similar situation.
“Standing tall and yelling his name and ‘stop’ is your best bet to not get bit,” one agent wrote. “Once I yelled at him and faced him, he turned around and started sniffing a bush.”
Commander’s behavior forced agents to change their approach to the job.
“The recent dog bites have challenged us to adjust our operational tactics when Commander is present – please give lots of room (staying a terrain feature away if possible),” the supervisor wrote.
“He also suggested that doing so could run counter to their primary protection jobs: ‘We will continue to keep (redacted) in our sight but must be creative to ensure our own personal safety,’” the USA reported.
