Biden and Jill Biden’s inner circle defended top aide Anthony Bernal against allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse from anonymous White House staffers.
Nearly a dozen current and former colleagues provided statements to Fox News defending Bernal’s character and denying the allegations, with some saying they had known and worked with him for decades without witnessing such behavior.
“Anthony is one of the most generous, conscientious, brilliant people working at the White House,” a White House official stated. “In the 20 years I’ve known him, I’ve never heard him to make comments like the ones alleged – in fact, he’s always been quite intentional and purposeful in making sure colleagues at every level feel valued and appreciated.”
The White House did not confirm if it would investigate the allegations.
“I’ve worked with Anthony for almost 30 years – and I’ve always seen him act with the utmost professionalism and compassion toward his team,” Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, said.
The staffers had accused Bernal of inappropriate sexual remarks and attempts to make people uncomfortable.
“He has a good heart and always keeps the people we serve at the forefront of his decisions,” an ex-staffer said. “As one of the youngest staff in the office, he consistently asked for and valued my perspective and contributions.”
“All the while, he relentlessly exemplifies that family comes first, and the highest form of public service is to find more to give,” another added. “Anthony’s expectations are set high, but his grace is even higher. He is truly the epitome of a public servant-leader.”
“The White House is a demanding workplace requiring the best efforts of all its employees, and Anthony’s leadership has helped me and many others maximize our abilities,” another said. “He challenged me to be better than I ever thought I could be, and as a result I’m a far better person and co-worker because of that interaction.”
“It is to make people uncomfortable and to have power over them,” one source stated. “It is Me Too – classic Me Too.”
“It was a lot of inappropriate remarks – talking about other people’s attractiveness and speculating about their sex lives at very weird moments,” the source said. “That’s actually sexual harassment.”
“I’m surprised it has taken this long for so many staffers to speak out,” they said. “I wouldn’t be shocked if this empowered current and past staff to move forward.”
“I am not joking when I say this: if you are ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect or talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot,” Biden said. “On the spot. No ifs, ands or buts.”
Biden had previously said he would fire anyone disrespecting colleagues, but the White House did not say if Bernal’s alleged actions violated that policy.
“His many fans at the White House know him to be both gracious and tough, holding himself up to the highest standards, with a heart dedicated to public service,” Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zeints said. “It is disappointing that he is the target of unfounded attacks from unnamed sources.”
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