Name: Secret Service Probe Into White House Cocaine Ends With No Suspect
Uploaded: 2023-07-14T15:16:16.000Z
Description: Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have said that the U.S. Secret Service told them in a closed-door briefing that the investigation into cocaine found at the White House has concluded and no suspect has been identified.

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Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have said that the U.S. Secret Service told them in a closed-door briefing that the investigation into cocaine found at the White House has concluded and no suspect has been identified.

While the Secret Service has not yet officially confirmed the conclusion of the investigation, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on July 13 that this is basically the end of the line for the probe.

"I don't see it moving forward in any way, shape, or form after this," she said.

Mace said lawmakers were told during the closed-door briefing that investigators were unable to determine who brought the cocaine into the West Wing and how long it was before it was discovered on July 2. It was first identified as an "unknown item" and prompted a brief evacuation.

"No one knows how long it was there, or who put it there and they can't get to the bottom of it," Ms. Mace said, adding that over 500 people visited the White House that weekend, and suggesting that the hypothesis that one of the visitors brought it in isn't unreasonable.

At the same time, Ms. Mace expressed dismay at the failure of the probe to determine who and when brought the drugs into the White House.

"This, as a member of Congress, is frustrating. It's the most secure site, the most secure building in the world, with the best law enforcement officers in the world, and we don't have any answers."

"From my perspective, it's just frustrating. Every time we have questions about activity around the Biden White House, the administration's family, no one can ever get any answers," she added.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in Washington on Jan. 27, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

While Ms. Mace didn't name anyone in particular, much of the speculation around the drug find has focused on President Joe Biden's scandal-plagued son, Hunter Biden, who in his memoir discussed his past addiction to crack cocaine.

Asked if she thinks the matter might get taken up by the House Oversight Committee, Ms. Mace said it's unlikely because lawmakers have their hands full with other investigations.

Republicans in Congress have launched a number of investigations into the Biden administration, including one into how government agencies colluded with Big Tech companies to censor Americans' constitutionally protected free speech.
<h2>'Pretty Good Diversion'</h2>
Other lawmakers who spoke to reporters following the Secret Service briefing told much the same story as Ms. Mace.

"They told us they don't know who it is," Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Burchett said it's "bogus" that the Secret Service wouldn't be able identify a suspect given all the security technology that's deployed at the White House and the fact that visitors are screened quite closely.

"It's a complete failure," Mr. Burchett continued. "This thing is ridiculous."

U.S. Rep.-elect Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) casts his vote in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Asked for specifics of the information provided during the briefing, Mr. Burchett said that lawmakers were told that the amount of cocaine that had been found was "less than a gram."

"It's a pretty good diversion. A lot of people are upset about it," he added. "I think they're thumbing their nose at the American public right now, like this administration has had a habit of doing."

Mr. Burchett said a formal announcement of the conclusions of the investigation is expected on Friday.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
<h2>Secret Service Refuses to Hand Over Records</h2>
It comes days after the Secret Service said it would not comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records relating to the White House cocaine, citing the potential for interference in an ongoing investigation.

In a letter <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLeopold/status/1678800907537117184?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dated July 11</a>, the Secret Service told Bloomberg Business investigative reporter Jason Leopold that it wouldn’t comply with the FOIA request he made to the agency.

Mr. Leopold’s FOIA request had asked for information such as emails, text messages, memos, intelligence bulletins and threat assessments, after-action reports, and suspicious activity reporting regarding the cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House on July 2.

The Secret Service stated that the requested information could potentially “interfere with enforcement proceedings.”

Typically, when an agency denies a FOIA request under the “enforcement proceedings” exemption, it’s signaling that releasing the requested information could hinder ongoing or future law enforcement actions.

The Secret Service told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the investigation remained “open and active” at that time and that disclosure of documents and records is prohibited under the federal FOIA until cases are closed and adjudicated.
<h2>'Unknown Item'</h2>
On the evening of July 2, a substance initially described as an “unknown item” was found in the White House library, prompting a brief evacuation.

While the Secret Service didn’t identify the nature of the substance, a D.C. firefighter said in a radio dispatch call at 8:49 p.m. on July 2 that the substance had tested positive for cocaine.

“We have a yellow bar stating cocaine hydrochloride,” the firefighter can be heard saying on the call.

“Bag it up and take it out,” the firefighter added, presumably addressing someone on the hazmat team.

As the investigation progressed, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/secret-service-confirms-cocaine-found-in-white-house-possibly-dropped-by-authorized-person_5376791.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Epoch Times</a> that the substance may have been brought in by someone who works there or had authorization to be there.

According to Mr. Guglielmi, the drugs were discovered in an area where West Wing staff, media personnel, visitors, and others involved in the security screening process gather.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said recently that the administration would “let the Secret Service do its job” before determining what action it needs to take.

“We will take any action that is appropriate and warranted pending the outcome of the Secret Service [investigation],” Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters during the weekly White House press briefing.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/lawmakers-frustrated-as-secret-service-probe-into-white-house-cocaine-ends-with-no-suspect_5396276.html">The Epoch Times</a></em>

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