White House Staff Outrage Over "Intensely Loyal" Jill Biden Aide Allegedly Disliked by Colleagues, Book Reveals
New book reveals that Jill Biden's top aide, Anthony Bernal, has become one of the most influential figures in the Biden White House.
A new book by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios political correspondent Alex Thompson highlights the influence of First Lady Jill Biden in President Joe Biden’s administration, describing her as one of the most powerful first ladies in American history. According to "Original Sin," this significant sway has extended to her top aide, Anthony Bernal, positioning him among the most influential figures within the White House.
The authors allege that in an environment where loyalty is paramount, Bernal used this loyalty as a tool to consolidate power and eliminate dissent within the ranks. One longtime Biden aide told Tapper and Thompson, “He would not be welcome at my funeral,” reflecting deep divisions behind the scenes. Bernal reportedly questioned White House staff about their allegiance, frequently asking, “Are you a Biden person?” This approach led colleagues to nickname him the leader of the “loyalty police,” according to the book.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, as Biden campaigned under lockdown conditions, both Bernal and Annie Tomasini were closely embedded within the Bidens’ inner circle—what the book refers to as the “Politburo.” This shift appeared to deepen the priority given to those with personal loyalty to the Biden family, rather than broader loyalty to the presidency or nation. The pair’s dynamic was described as “an older-brother-and-little-sister vibe,” with Tomasini holding the unusual title of deputy campaign manager for a staffer to a spouse.
Tapper and Thompson argue that this arrangement raised concerns within the wider administration. They claim that the rise of Bernal and Tomasini signaled success for those whose primary allegiance was to the Biden family above all else. The authors write, “Their rise in the Biden White House signaled the success of people whose allegiance was to the Biden family—not to the presidency, not to the American people, not to the country, but to the Biden theology.”
The book also claims that Bernal’s style alienated many colleagues. Tapper and Thompson report that Bernal was known for disparaging remarks about others, with some colleagues going as far as to describe him as “the worst person they had ever met.” Bernal and Tomasini were said to have unusual access to the White House living quarters, with “Res” badges typically reserved for residence staff.
As the Biden team prepared for a reelection bid, concern grew among some senior aides regarding the president’s age and polling in key states. The book alleges that Bernal and other top aides dismissed speculation about Vice President Kamala Harris mounting a challenge, insisting the expectation was for an eight-year administration. Tapper and Thompson note that Bernal was already planning the first lady’s 2025 international travel schedule and remained focused on boosting Jill Biden’s profile during this time.
Jill Biden played a pivotal role both as a chief supporter of the president’s decision to seek reelection and, according to the authors, as a leading voice in denying any cognitive decline. The partnership between Jill Biden and Bernal was marked by careful monitoring of who was supportive or not, with the pair keeping score of potential allies and adversaries.
Even after President Biden’s widely criticized debate performance in July 2024, Tapper and Thompson say that Jill Biden and Bernal remained determined to forge ahead with the campaign. The book’s depiction of this insular approach has raised questions about transparency and the role of personal loyalty in the administration’s internal dynamics.
However, not everyone agreed with the characterization provided in "Original Sin." A former White House staffer, responding to Fox News Digital, dismissed the allegations as either false, exaggerated, or selectively quoted. The staffer praised Bernal as a “strong leader with high standards” who served as a mentor and cared deeply for those he managed, calling him “incredibly strategic, effective, and caring.”
These revelations have added fuel to ongoing scrutiny over the inner workings of the Biden administration and the influence wielded by members of the president’s closest circle. As election season intensifies, the dynamics laid bare by this new book are likely to remain a point of discussion and analysis in Washington and beyond.
