With a staff larger than Nixon's and a 77% turnover rate, President Biden's White House is facing scrutiny for its size and revolving door.
President Biden's White House staff has grown to unprecedented levels, surpassing the record set by former President Richard Nixon. According to a report from Open the Books, Biden employs 565 staffers, at a cost of nearly $61 million, a slight increase from the previous year's 560 staffers.
This surge in personnel exceeds the numbers employed by Biden's immediate predecessors. In Fiscal Year 2020, former President Donald Trump employed 413 staff members, while former President Barack Obama had 468 in Fiscal Year 2012.
Biden's Bloated White House Staff: A Record-Breaking Expense
Not only is Biden's staff the largest, but it has also experienced a significant turnover rate of 77% since his inauguration in 2021. Of the initial 560 employees, 435 have left.
The White House acknowledges a 9% increase in staff since last year, attributing it to expanding teams in specific policy areas. However, the report from Open the Books captures vacancies not reflected in the July 1, 2023, count.
Biden's Bloated White House Staff: A Record-Breaking Expense
Michelle Barrans, an associate counsel, is the highest-paid staffer, earning $251,258, followed by Farah Ahmad, a special advisor for economic development, at $191,900.
First Lady Jill Biden's staff has also expanded to 24, matching Michelle Obama's 2009 staff size and doubling that of Melania Trump during her tenure. The cost of the first lady's staff is $2.5 million.
Biden's Bloated White House Staff: A Record-Breaking Expense
Critics argue that the bloated staff reflects excessive spending and inefficiency, while supporters contend that it aligns with the complexities of modern governance.
Questions have also been raised about the impact of the high turnover rate on institutional knowledge and continuity.
Biden's Bloated White House Staff: A Record-Breaking Expense
In an interview on 'Cavuto Live,' Democratic Colorado congressional candidate Adam Frisch expressed his belief that Biden's withdrawal would be "really important" for the country.
Biden's White House staff expansion has sparked comparisons to Nixon's administration, which was criticized for its size and secrecy. In 1971, Time magazine described Nixon's staff as growing with "startling rapidity."
As the presidency faces mounting challenges at home and abroad, the size and cost of Biden's White House staff remain topics of debate.
