Biden brings on ‘tough as nails’ former federal prosecutor who helped Democrats fend off Benghazi probe as his new White House counsel while Republican impeachment threat escalates

President Joe Biden is bringing in a new White House counsel, known as a tough former federal prosecutor, to help counter a series of Republican investigations in the House of Representatives and a growing threat of impeachment.

Ed Siskel served as deputy counsel during the Obama administration, where he helped defend the administration against heated GOP investigations into four U.S. deaths at the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya.

He then served as a business adviser to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who developed his own reputation as White House Chief of Staff.

The move comes amid a raft of Republican Party investigations ranging from the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan to multifaceted investigations into Biden’s son Hunter’s business dealings.

Special counsel David Weiss is overseeing the investigation of the president’s son after the failure of a plea deal over tax charges.

Republicans in the House of Representatives subpoenaed IRS and FBI agents involved in the investigation on Monday.

It is our duty to follow the facts wherever they lead, and our subpoenas, compelling testimony from officials in the Biden administration, are crucial to understanding how the president’s son received special treatment from federal prosecutors and who was the ultimate decision maker in the case,” said House Judiciary Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) in a statement.

Lawmakers including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have introduced impeachment resolutions, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy has brought forward an impeachment inquiry, saying last month it will give Congress the information to get to the truth to be able to find out.

“He has just the right temperament for this kind of role,” said former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler CNNcalling it the ‘politically charged’ cycle.

“He’s great under pressure. Very calm and very subdued, but also tough as nails,” she added. “He’s the guy you want in the foxhole with you.”

Siskel also helped fight GOP investigations into the White House’s connections to the solar energy company Solyndra before it filed for bankruptcy. Biden helped finalize a $535 million loan guarantee for the company during the 2009 economic crisis.

The White House announced the hiring drive in a statement Tuesday.

“Ed Siskel’s many years of public sector experience and a career advocating the rule of law make him the perfect choice to serve as my next White House counsel,” Biden said in the statement.

“In the White House for nearly four years when I was vice president, he helped the Counsel’s Office deal with complex challenges and advance the president’s agenda on behalf of the American people, first as a federal prosecutor and then as a top consultant for one of the largest and most vibrant cities in America, his hometown of Chicago, Ed has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service and respect for the law. His experience allows him to hit the ground running as one of the key leaders on my team as we continue to make progress every day for the American people.”

Siskel will replace outgoing White House counsel Stuart Deery next month.