According to Politico Playbook, morale around the White House is low, with staffers complaining that they are not getting their traditional farewell photo with the president.
It is a tradition in President Biden's White House for staff members to take a photo with the president to thank them for their contributions when they decide to leave the administration. political handbook Reported. But the newspaper said staffers were worried that despite the recent changes, they would not be able to get the long-awaited photo, as the president has been canceling photo shoots in recent months. (Related: With all eyes on Trump, Biden bubble gathers for one last flashy, isolated send-off)
According to an email obtained by Politico Playbook, the Office of Management's Employee Engagement Team recently told staff that they would be taking regular photos over the next two months, but that additional guests would not be included in the photos. informed that it was not allowed. The report said the warning was upsetting to staffers, as their families are usually invited and fly in for the occasion to meet with the president for a few minutes.
“Instead of everyone being annoyed by the lack of departure photos, now only half of the people are annoyed,” one current administration official told Politico Playbook.
President Joe Biden speaks with White House staff as he walks to board Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on August 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. President Biden will head to Philadelphia before heading to Camp David over the weekend. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
But morale may have taken a bigger hit than some expected, with senior officials finding it frustrating to see junior staffers posing for photos with the president right in front of them. Politico Playbook reported.
“It's frustrating to be so frustrated, but taking a departure photo is a principle in question and a coveted experience in the White House,” the former official said in a statement obtained by Politico Playbook. It is written. “Why did I see this intern turned staff assistant being photographed in front of me?”
Another former official told the outlet that a group of staffers was considering whether to write a petition to have a photo taken of senior staff and the president. Administration officials told Politico Playbook that former staffers will soon receive invitations to take pictures with the president and are hopeful the move will be enough to allay concerns about the situation. he said.
“These are staffers who have stood by Mr. Biden from day one, and many since the lowest ebb of the campaign,” one former official said in a message to colleagues obtained by Politico Playbook. writes.
“The employees who gave their all to the president, skipping anniversaries, birthdays, doctor's appointments, knowing that our very democracy was at stake, will be hearing from a president who says we owe them everything. They should at least be given a proper farewell,” the message said. Continue.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on the National Mall from the White House balcony during an Independence Day event on the South Lawn of the White House. Fold your hands in the air while watching the fireworks. July 4, 2024, Washington DC Homes. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Since withdrawing from the presidential race in July, Biden has kept a relatively low profile. The president and his supporters gathered for a dinner on Nov. 22 to thank longtime supporters. The president thanked those in attendance for supporting him both politically and through life's tragedies. The first lady toasted her husband and described him as her “hero.”
“And I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you,” the president said.
“Another Irish poet once said, “History teaches us not to have hope on this side of the grave, but once in a lifetime, a wave of much-needed justice washes over, and hope and history It rhymes.'' The 82-year-old seemed to be reciting it from memory. “You rhyme hope with history.”
