President Joe Biden has announced that Ed Siskel, a former attorney from the Obama administration, will be assuming the role of the new White House counsel.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden unveiled his selection for the new White House counsel, Ed Siskel, a former attorney from the Obama administration. Siskel notably contributed to shaping the response to congressional inquiries concerning the 2012 Benghazi attack, which claimed the lives of four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.
Siskel, set to commence his role in September, steps into this position during a crucial juncture at the White House. President Biden is in the midst of his reelection campaign, while simultaneous congressional and legal investigations into his administration and family are underway. Moreover, House Republicans are deliberating the possibility of initiating an impeachment inquiry against the Democratic president.
In a statement, Biden remarked, "Ed Siskel’s extensive background in public service and his commitment to upholding the rule of law make him an ideal choice to serve as my next White House Counsel."
While Bob Bauer continues to serve as Biden's personal attorney, representing the president in personal matters, particularly those involving classified documents found at his office and home in Wilmington, Delaware.
The role of the White House counsel entails providing counsel on legal and policy matters linked to the presidency. This office serves as the main point of contact between the White House and the Justice Department, handling responsibilities such as presidential pardons, involvement in judicial appointments, and assessment of legislation. Additionally, the office is involved in investigating and managing congressional inquiries targeting the administration and addressing lawsuits against the president when he is sued in his official capacity.
This year is poised to be a challenging one: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is facing pressure to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Biden based on unverified allegations of financial misconduct; Biden's son, Hunter, is subject to a federal investigation; and former President Donald Trump, who is vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is facing federal and state charges. Additionally, Republican lawmakers are conducting inquiries into the Biden administration's tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ed Siskel is assuming the role of White House counsel, succeeding Stuart Delery, who held the position for nearly three years. Delery became a part of Biden's transition legal team following Biden's victory over then-incumbent President Trump in November 2020. Delery initially served as deputy counsel and was later promoted to the top position last summer after Dana Remus, Biden's first counsel, departed the White House.
During his tenure in the Obama administration, Siskel supervised the White House's legal responses to congressional oversight and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Siskel, hailing from Chicago and the nephew of film critic Gene Siskel, served as the chief lawyer in Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel for two years. He also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Illinois and clerked for Justice John Paul Stevens on the U.S. Supreme Court.
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