The U.S. Secret Service Media Relations has released an official statement regarding the investigation of a substance found in the White House. The conclusion led to more questions than answers.
The Secret Service stated, “Without physical evidence, the investigation cannot single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service’s investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.”
Their inability to identify a person of interest has sparked criticism from Republican officials. [Source]
Due to the unresolved nature of the investigation, the Secret Service offered a briefing to lawmakers.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, storming out of the briefing and labeling the conclusion as “bogus” and the investigation a “complete failure.”
“They know who enters the White House. They have facial identification, they require your Social Security number — you can’t just stroll in there. To say it was just some weekend visitor is bogus,” Burchett stated. “Nobody’s buying that.”
Does Burchett’s disbelief hold merit?
In their official statement, the Secret Service disclosed that after discovering the powder tested preliminarily positive for cocaine, the packaging underwent further testing at an FBI laboratory.
The aim was to find fingerprints or DNA on the packaging and compare it against the index of individuals who had passed through the area.
The substance was discovered on July 2 inside a receptacle in the vestibule leading to the lobby area of the West Executive Avenue entrance to the White House.
The FBI laboratory confirmed the substance was cocaine. However, they could not develop fingerprints and found the DNA insufficient for investigative comparisons.
Upon receiving the results, the Secret Service concluded they could not compare evidence against the known pool of individuals.
What about video surveillance?
The statement continues, “No surveillance video footage was found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area.”
The investigation ended with the same conclusion, “Without physical evidence, the investigation cannot single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service’s investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.”
Rep. Tim Burchett was not the only one dissatisfied with the investigation. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) voiced her concern. [Source]
She told reporters, “They were able to narrow down a list of approximately 500 people that might have left a small bag of cocaine. I asked them if they had drug-tested this list of 500 potential suspects who could have brought cocaine into the White House. Their answer was ‘no’ and that they were unwilling to do so.”
She added, “Every day, American citizens go through drug tests for employment. It’s a common practice.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) also expressed her concerns.
“Every time something odd happens with President Biden, his family, or anything regarding his administration or the White House, no one seems to find an answer. This is one of the most secure locations in the world, staffed by some of the best law enforcement officers – and yet they have no answers.”
While other lawmakers were outraged by the investigation, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) expressed concerns about the adequacy of White House security measures.
“There are no security measures at the White House to detect substances, whether it be a Schedule II substance like cocaine, marijuana, or even something potentially more dangerous like anthrax.”
Boebert also referred to individuals being caught with marijuana during 2022 screenings. She asked, “What kind of people are we allowing on the premises? What is their real purpose there?
The resolution of this investigation raises important questions about the efficacy of White House security measures. With an unknown quantity of a Schedule II controlled substance finding its way into the country’s most secure building, there are clear gaps in our security protocols that need to be addressed.
Though this story is still unfolding, a thorough review of current security measures and necessary adjustments is needed to ensure that such incidents don’t recur.