WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, has been relocated from the White House due to a series of biting incidents involving staff members. A spokeswoman confirmed this development on Wednesday, stating that the two-year-old German Shepherd has been sent to an undisclosed location while the Bidens evaluate the “next steps” for their presidential pet.
The decision to remove Commander comes after reports from CNN and Axios revealed that the dog had been involved in more biting incidents than previously disclosed. While the Secret Service had initially acknowledged 11 of its agents had been nipped by Commander, CNN’s investigation suggests that the actual number of victims may be even higher, extending beyond Secret Service personnel to include other White House workers.
In response to the situation, Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for First Lady Jill Biden, issued a statement emphasizing the President and First Lady’s concern for the safety of White House staff and those responsible for their protection. She expressed gratitude for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all parties involved while efforts are made to find a solution. Alexander noted that Commander is currently not present on the White House campus as they assess the next steps.
Details about Commander’s new location and the permanence of the move remain undisclosed as of now. The last public sighting of Commander at the White House was on September 30 when photographers captured the German Shepherd on the Truman balcony of the president’s private quarters.
This isn’t the first time one of the Biden family’s dogs has been relocated due to biting incidents. Earlier, another German Shepherd named Major was sent to live with family friends in Delaware after similar issues arose. Unfortunately, their beloved dog Champ passed away in 2021 at the age of 13.
Commander was initially introduced to the public amid great fanfare in December 2021 when President Biden tweeted, “Welcome to the White House,” along with a photo of the puppy joyfully running with a tennis ball in his mouth. The Bidens had previously attributed their dogs’ behavior to the stressful environment of the White House. Now, as they contemplate the future for Commander, the nation watches to see what’s in store for the presidential pooch.
