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White House won’t say if Jill Biden shielding ‘work husband’ Anthony Bernal from sex harassment allegations

WH press secretary refuses to say if Jill Biden shielding 'work husband' from sexual harassment claims

Jean-Pierre defended Bernal — widely regarded as one of the most powerful White House officials — when a Post reporter pressed her about a trio of sources saying Bernal repeatedly speculates on the penis sizes of coworkers in a #MeToo power play.

“I don’t know who your sources are so I can’t — just with all due respect — I can’t speak to that… I mean, they’re blind sources,” Jean-Pierre said during her regular briefing, before vouching for her colleague.

“What I can speak to is you saw a statement from our Chief of Staff Jeff Zients saying they are ‘unfounded.’ You saw a very strong statement from Anthony himself… and he said the same.”

Zients has dismissed allegations as “unfounded” — without investigating them.

Sources said Bernal’s vague title as Jill’s senior adviser belies his internal influence, which may exceed Zients’.

“I cannot speak to personnel investigations here or anything like that,” Jean-Pierre said.

“That is not something I will ever speak to. And I’m not saying there is one — I’m just saying that I will never, I cannot speak to that and that’s not something that I can do.”

Jean-Pierre added, “I have known Anthony for some time now. I’ve known him for more than a decade. I’ve worked closely with him. And I consider him a friend, but also a colleague that I respect. And that’s basically what you also heard from Jeffrey Zients. I just don’t have anything else to share beyond your reporting.”

The Post’s reporter followed up: “I’ve got to press you on this, though, because the president said he would fire people for disrespecting colleagues and there’s no investigation.”

“I just said to you that they have said themselves, Jeffrey Zients and also Anthony Bernal, that they are unfounded. I can’t speak to your sources, those are your sources to speak to,” she replied.

“Does Bernal’s special status come from the first lady shielding him, as some sources believe?” The Post asked directly.

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“I’ve answered the question. I’ve answered the question,” Jean-Pierre replied, though she had not, in fact, answered the question

“Anthony Bernal spoke for himself. You heard from our chief of staff — our chief of staff, and [he] gave your publication a statement obviously — and you’ve heard from me. I don’t have anything else to share.”

The Post pressed again, “Is that going to have a chilling effect, though, on people who suffer sexual harassments or bullying?”

“I don’t have anything else to share on that,” Jean-Pierre replied.

ACCUSERS: WH STAFF FEAR FIRST LADY’S WRATH

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