Law enforcement officials have confirmed the discovery of a small amount of cocaine at the White House over the weekend, raising questions about security protocols, with many pointing out that President has a son who has dealt publicly with substance abuse issues.
While the source of the drug remains officially unknown, officials point out the challenges in identifying the culprit due to the highly trafficked area where it was found, Politico reports.
The cocaine was discovered in a cubby area for storing electronics within the West Exec basement entryway into the West Wing, a space accessible to numerous individuals, including staff and visitors on tours.
For perspective the media made a much bigger deal about my father drinking multiple Diet Cokes a day then they are about actually finding cocaine in the White House which also led to an evacuation!
They’re just democrat propagandists at this point… nothing more nothing less.— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 6, 2023
Given the nature of the location, the chances of finding the person responsible are slim, according to an official familiar with the investigation.
The official further explained that unless the person was deliberately flaunting the substance, surveillance cameras might not have captured the incident.
The West Wing area is known for its constant foot traffic, making it difficult to pinpoint who might have been involved.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the incident during a briefing, confirming that the cocaine was found in an area frequently used by both staff and visitors. She claimed that President Joe Biden and his family were away from Washington during the incident and returned in time for the Fourth of July celebrations.
REPORTER: "If the Secret Service determines who brought the cocaine into the White House, does the White House support the prosecution of this individual?"
JEAN-PIERRE: "I'm just not gonna get into hypotheticals." pic.twitter.com/d5os1zDEXM
— ⚡️THOR⚡️ the Deplorable 🇺🇸 (@ThorDeplorable) July 6, 2023
Jean-Pierre declined to provide additional details about the situation, directing reporters to the Secret Service, which is leading the ongoing investigation with the assistance of the FBI.
She expressed confidence in the Secret Service’s ability to uncover the truth, urging patience and trust in their investigative process.
The discovery of the cocaine prompted a temporary escalation in security measures at the White House. A uniformed division officer of the Secret Service found the substance on Sunday night and, being unsure of its nature, reported it immediately.
