U.S. President Joe Biden Appoints Former Federal Prosecutor as Top White House Lawyer
WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden has announced the appointment of Ed Siskel, a former federal prosecutor and Chicago lawyer, as his top White House lawyer. Siskel, who previously served in the White House Counsel’s office during Biden’s tenure as vice president, will assume his new role next month.
“For nearly four years in the White House when I was vice president, he helped the Counsel’s Office navigate complex challenges and advance the president’s agenda on behalf of the American people,” Biden stated. “His experience will let him hit the ground running as a key leader on my team.”
The appointment comes at a critical time for Biden as he looks to push forward his legislative agenda amidst ongoing Republican-led congressional investigations. The appointment of Siskel is expected to strengthen the president’s legal team and provide valuable insight and expertise in navigating these challenges.
Notably, House Republicans have recently intensified their probes into the business dealings of Biden’s son, Hunter, while some right-wing lawmakers have even called for an impeachment investigation into the president himself.
Siskel, a Chicago native, returned to the Midwest after leaving the Obama administration and held various roles in private practice. He also served as counsel for Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel for two years, where he notably sued the Trump administration in 2017 over its controversial sanctuary city policy.
Before his time in the White House Counsel’s office, Siskel worked in the U.S. Department of Justice as senior counsel to the deputy attorney general and then as associate deputy attorney general. He also has experience as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois and worked as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Stevens.
Siskel will be replacing Stuart Delery, who has served as White House counsel since July 2022 and is stepping down from his position.
Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bernadette Baum
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