The United States Secret Service has closed its investigation into the discovery of a bag of cocaine in the west wing of the White House earlier this month, unable to identify a suspect or determine how the drugs ended up there. The incident, which has raised questions about security protocols, was conveniently ignored by ABC’s World News Tonight, while CBS and NBC covered the news.
According to CBS Evening News justice correspondent Nicole Sganga, the Secret Service, which briefed the House Oversight Committee, scoured video footage both inside and outside the building, but found no leads. They also examined entrance logs and compiled a list of over 500 individuals who had access to the entrance in the days prior to the discovery. However, without physical or video evidence linking the cocaine to a suspect, officials were unable to make any connections.
Sganga reported that the small baggie containing approximately 0.2 grams of cocaine was found on July 2, just inside the guest entryway to the west wing. It was discovered in a cubby used by visitors to store their cell phones, located just steps away from the situation room. FBI analysts tested the bag for DNA and fingerprints but were unable to find any conclusive results.
This failure to find a suspect has left some lawmakers frustrated and demanding answers. Republican Representative Tim Burchett commented, They don’t know who it is, and it’s a complete failure. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also criticized the investigation, questioning how drugs could be found in the White House with 24/7 security, only for the investigation to be closed without any progress.
The Secret Service released a statement citing the difficulty in singling out a person among the hundreds of individuals who pass through the area where the cocaine was discovered. The agency’s K-9 unit is responsible for screening for explosive devices and biohazards but does not search for illegal drugs. The incident has raised concerns about security protocols within the White House and whether the current measures are adequate.
Speculation has arisen regarding the potential identity of the cocaine’s owner. With over 500 individuals on the access list, it remains unclear whether Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was among them and if he was questioned by the Secret Service. Nevertheless, mainstream media outlets have refrained from posing these questions.
NBC Nightly News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell suggested a leading theory, informed by sources familiar with the investigation, that the cocaine could have been brought in by a visitor. However, without concrete evidence, this theory remains speculative.
The closure of the investigation by the Secret Service has raised concerns about a possible two-tiered system of justice in the United States. Critics argue that this incident highlights the failure of investigative agencies to hold individuals accountable for their actions, raising questions about fairness and transparency within the justice system.
While ABC’s World News Tonight chose to ignore the news, CBS and NBC covered the story, shedding light on the Secret Service’s failure to identify the suspect behind the cocaine found in the White House. The lack of progress in the investigation has left lawmakers demanding answers and reconsidering security protocols at the highest level of government.
