When Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20, 2021, the nation breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Largely, this had to do with the president of the United States no longer being an unhinged psychopath who had just recently tried to overthrow the government. Equally important, though, was the fact that after four long years in the desert, animals—dogs specifically—were finally welcomed back into the White House.
Yes, whereas Donald Trump was the first president since 1897 to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue without having a dog at some point, and routinely denigrated ex-employees and other perceived enemies by comparing them to canines—tweeting that his enemies had “choked like a dog,” were “dumped like a dog,” had been “fired like a dog,” and were “kicked out of the ABC News debate like a dog”—Biden rolled up to the front door with his two best friends, German Shepard dogs Major and Champ.
And for a number of weeks, life was good. But then on Tuesday, a disturbing report emerged from CNN, concerning Major and a “biting incident” involving a member of White House security. Even more concerning was the news that Major and Champ, who are said to prefer to travel as a pair, had been subsequently sent to the Biden family home in Delaware, i.e. the proverbial doghouse. And that seemed really unfair! Sure, biting isn’t great, and no one wants anyone to get hurt, but whatever happened to verbal warnings? Three strikes? Probationary periods? Instead, by the sound of it, it appeared that the duo had been banished for good, without any hope of proving that they are, indeed, good boys. And that seemed like an extremely raw deal, one which many people were incensed about:
But it turns out this tale actually has a happy ending. During the White House press briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Jen Psaki informed reporters that while Major did indeed nip an unnamed individual, he and his brother will be back at the White House in short order.
Last month, Jill Biden said during an appearance with Kelly Clarkson that Major and Champ were still getting “settled” in their new home, which may explain the unusual behavior with the security staff. “They have to take the elevator, they’re not used to that,“ Jill said, “And they have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them. So that’s what I’ve been obsessed with, getting everybody settled and calm.”
This isn’t the first time Major has made the news for some of his antics. Between the election and inauguration, Biden sustained a hairline fracture on his foot after he tripped on a rug Major had slipped on while the two were playing fetch. He remains a valued member of the Biden administration.
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