A new member has joined the White House family! President Joe Biden announced on Twitter Monday that he has a new puppy named Commander.
"Welcome to the White House, Commander," Biden wrote on social media, along with a photo of the family's new dog. The new addition to the Biden family is pictured running on a lawn with a tennis ball in its mouth.
USA TODAY has reached out to White House representatives for further comment.
Commander's arrival marks the third time a dog will live in the White House since Biden began his role as commander in chief in Jan. 2021. The Bidens previously owned two German Shepherds, Champ and Major.
However, Major made headlines for incidents involving government staff. In March, Major was sent back to Delaware after he caused a "minor injury" to a U.S. Secret Service employee.
'Our sweet, good boy': First pooch Champ Biden dies, age 13, after months in White House
After returning to the White House, Major was involved in another incident a few weeks later while "adjusting to his new surroundings," according to Michael LaRosa, a spokesman for first lady Jill Biden. As a result, the dog went to "off-site, private training" before returning to the White House at the end of April.
The Bidens' other German Shepherd, Champ, died in June at age of 13.
Commander isn't the only new furry animal expected to join the Bidens. After Major last returned to the White House, Jill Biden said the family would eventually welcome a cat to Washington D.C.
There is no timetable as to when the Bidens will welcome a new pet. Jill Biden told the New York Times in September that Major's incidents with government staff delayed the cat's arrival, saying, "I don’t even know whether I can get the cat back at this point."
Contributing: Elise Brisco, Jenna Ryu, Rasha Ali and Hannah Yasharoff
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
