White House in turmoil over claims of 'toxicity' and 'bullying' as Biden clinches nomination: Travel aide resigns over claims he called staffers 'worthless' while inner circle denies harassment claims against Jill Biden's 'work husband'

President Joe Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 election on Tuesday night despite a swirl of allegations that his White House is fostering a toxic working environment.

The latest claims relate to first lady Jill Biden's top aide, who is accused of making inappropriate comments about penis size, and the advance team, who travel ahead of the president to coordinate security and logistics.

The White House counsel's office has launched an investigation into the advance office, and two senior figures have resigned. 

They are just the latest examples of problems in the nation's most famous workplace, despite Biden saying at the start of his presidency that he would fire staff who 'treat another colleague with disrespect.'

Senior figures have been forced to defend working practices even as the president's campaign tries to pivot to November's match-up with Donald Trump.

First Lady Jill Biden talks with her senior advisor Anthony Bernal before a speech at the Carondelet Palace in Quito, Ecuador on May 19, 2022

Joe Biden on Tuesday night became the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, but his White House is riven by bullying accusations

On Monday it emerged that Ian Mellul resigned as associate director of presidential advance in March after a monthslong investigation.

Three people interviewed by investigators told Politico that the probe was looking at verbal harassment.

Two sources claimed he told staffers that he would 'ruin your life' when they made mistakes and would regularly call junior staffers 'pieces of s***' and 'worthless.'

Brie Moore also resigned recently as director of press advance reportedly after complaints from the White House press corps.

'There's a right and a wrong way to treat people in any business,' said a former White House advance associate. 

'You're just not putting your best face forward for anybody if you're just lashing out at people, barking commands, not treating people with respect, not treating people with dignity.'

Mellul denied making threats. 'That is simply not true,' he wrote in a text to Politico, in which he also apologized to anyone who felt offended or targeted.

However, sources said the White House human resources team opened an investigation a year ago, which led to him having management training and an executive coach. But after fresh complaints he was placed on paid administrative leave before resigning.

Some insiders blame Ryan Montoya, director of scheduling and advance, saying he did not do enough to tackle concerns. 

'Ryan Montoya is the head of the department who I think everyone would blame for this whole issue. People went to Ryan many times and Ryan would just laugh it off and ignore it,' said a former White House official.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that Bernal, whose position in the first lady's office means he wields tremendous clout, had repeatedly made comments about penis size

Fresh turmoil hit the White House on Tuesday, when the New York Post reported complaints against Anthony Bernal, 50, whom Jill Biden regards as her 'work husband.'

Three sources said he often speculated about the penis size of colleagues. Two said he shared with them the theory that thumb size corresponds with genitalia size, making the comments not just at the White House but in the past during his time as vice president and during the campaign. 

'It is to make people uncomfortable and to have power over them,' a source told the newspaper.

Another described it as a classic '#metoo' problem.

In a statement Monday, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said the president and first lady retained full confidence in Bernal. 

'His many fans at the White House know him to be both gracious and tough, holding himself up to the highest standards, with a heart dedicated to public service,' he said. 'It is disappointing that he is the target of unfounded attacks from unnamed sources.'

Insiders worry the workplace culture could overshadow efforts to win reelection. And that it would deter potential recruits from joining the team.

The issue also came up at the press secretary's briefing on Tuesday. Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was aware of the complaints but said she could not comment on personnel questions.

'The president is deeply proud of his advance team, its leadership, and Ryan Montoya—a stand-up, dedicated group whose expertise, camaraderie, and professionalism have been critical to his 242 domestic and 31 international trips, flawlessly executing events in unprecedented environments, ranging from multiple active warzones outside of American control to a once-in-a-century pandemic,' she said.