The White House Secret Service allegedly destroyed video evidence of President Biden’s German Shepherd, Commander, biting a Secret Service agent, leading to the agent’s hospitalization and the dog’s subsequent banishment.
The incident, occurring near the East Wing, involved a deep bite that required stitches, causing a brief halt in White House tours for cleanup.
Despite the existence of video evidence, the Secret Service cited retention standards for the destruction of the file.
“Just for situational awareness. It seems that we’re back to the K9 being let off leash to roam the grounds freely,” one Secret Service official wrote in a 2023 email. “Tonight we had the team on the roadway for the evening sweep when [redacted] brought the dog out. K9 ran directly south and bounced between us techs.”
“Though no one was bitten it’s just a matter of time before it happens,” another said.
Commander, known for over 25 documented incidents, joined the Bidens after the departure of their previous dog, Major, also involved in violent incidents.
Previous warnings about Commander being off-leash on the White House grounds have been noted, revealing a pattern of concern among Secret Service officials.