President Joe Biden’s pet dog, Commander, has been terrorising bodyguards at the White House and in Delaware, according to US Secret Service email correspondence.
Commander was heralded as a more laid-back version of predecessor Major, who was banished from the White House two years ago on biting charges.
Yet the Pooch of the United States is said to be in the doghouse, having lunged at unsuspecting agents at least ten times in just five months culminating in an agent being hospitalised.
Details of two-year-old Commander’s misdemeanours were obtained in a public information request lodged by Judicial Watch, a conservative activist group specialising in alleged misconduct by government officials.
President Joe Biden walks with his dog Commander, Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in the Rose Garden of the White House.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
According to the group, Jill and Joe Biden have adopted a laissez faire approach to training Commander, which has infuriated the frequently targeted Secret Service agents.
The report stated that on November 3 last year, Commander hospitalised a uniformed Secret Service agent by latching onto their arm and thigh.
The officer told superiors that he had tried in vain to shield himself using a steel cart but his injuries had left him “in a considerable amount of pain.”
Another significant episode occurred weeks later, when Biden took Commander on a wander through the White House’s Kennedy garden following a family movie night.
President Joe Biden walks to the Oval Office Dining Room with Biden family dog Commander, Friday, March 4, 2022.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Commander was released from his leash by the President and bolted towards a Secret Service member, biting them on the arm and hand.
A month later, Commander bit a security technician on the back at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware.
The request only provided incidents occurring between September 2022 and January 2023, with Commander’s behaviour in his first nine months at the White House and most recent six months excluded.
Email communications between concerned Secret Service agents and their superiors reveal growing resentment towards the Bidens’ pet.
Biden family dog Commander plays with a tennis ball on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, January 21, 2022.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Hearing about the November 2022 attack, a superior is said to have messaged: “That’s freaking crazy, that stupid dog.”
The victim explained: “My leg and arm still hurts. He bit me twice and ran at me twice.”
The superior is said to have responded: “What a joke. If it wasn’t [the Bidens’] dog he would already have been put down. Freaking clown needs a muzzle.”
Another officer wrote: “Commander has been exhibiting extremely aggressive behaviour.”
BIDEN LATEST:
Biden family dog Major sees a tennis ball next to President Joe Biden on the Resolute Desk Thursday, March 4, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
They predicted: “Today, while posted, he came charging at me. The First Lady couldn’t regain control of Commander and he continued to circle me. I believe it’s only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit.”
This prediction was sent days before the agent was hospitalised.
Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton said: “This is a special sort of craziness and corruption where a president would allow his dog to repeatedly attack and bite Secret Service and White House personnel.”
The White House responded by confirming that the Bidens would provide more training and more rigorous control techniques for Commander.
Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the first lady, told CNN: “They have been partnering with the Secret Service and executive residence staff on additional leashing protocols and training, as well as establishing designated areas for Commander to run and exercise.
“The president and first lady are incredibly grateful to the Secret Service and executive residence staff for all they do to keep them, their family and the country safe.”
