The FBI has reopened its investigation into the bag of cocaine found in the White House during President Joe Biden's administration in 2023. This development marks a significant shift in the agency's approach to a case that drew widespread public attention and speculation two years ago.
According to Breitbart, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the decision to reexamine the case as part of a broader initiative to address matters of potential public corruption that have garnered significant public interest.
The cocaine was discovered by Secret Service agents near the entrance to the White House's West Wing in July 2023. At that time, investigators were unable to determine who brought the controlled substance into one of the most secure buildings in the United States, raising questions about security protocols and access to the presidential complex.
Bongino cites public corruption concerns
Bongino, who now serves as second-in-command at the FBI, explained that the cocaine case is one of several high-profile investigations receiving renewed attention under the current administration's leadership at the bureau.
"Shortly after swearing in, the Director and I evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest. We made the decision to either re-open, or push additional resources and investigative attention, to these cases," Bongino stated on social media platform X.
The deputy director noted that in addition to the White House cocaine investigation, the FBI is also dedicating resources to the Washington DC pipe bombing investigation and the probe into the leak of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision prior to the official overturning of Roe v. Wade. He indicated that he receives weekly briefings on these cases and encouraged the public to contact the FBI with any relevant information.
Previous investigation faced limitations
The original investigation into the cocaine discovery ended without identifying the responsible party, despite the substance being found in a highly secure area of the White House complex.
In July 2023, the Secret Service announced that laboratory testing conducted by the FBI failed to develop usable fingerprints from the packaging. Additionally, investigators determined that insufficient DNA was present for comparison purposes, effectively leaving them without means to identify who brought the substance into the building.
The discovery occurred during Biden's presidency, though as Fox News reported at the time, neither President Biden nor his son Hunter were staying at the White House when the cocaine was found. The Biden family was reportedly at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, during the timeframe in question.
Trump questions initial investigation
President Donald Trump has previously expressed skepticism about the original investigation's thoroughness and outcome, suggesting that evidence might have been deliberately obscured.
"That was such a terrible thing because, you know, those bins are very loaded up with … they're not clean, and they have hundreds and even thousands of fingerprints," Trump told Ben Domenech of The Spectator. "And when they went to look at it, it was absolutely stone cold, wiped dry. You know that, right?"
Trump, along with several conservative commentators, has publicly speculated that the cocaine could have belonged to Hunter Biden, who has openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse in the past. However, the Biden family's absence from the White House during the relevant period complicates this theory.
Investigation spans multiple administrations
The reopening of this investigation represents a significant development in a case that spans two presidential administrations and highlights ongoing concerns about security at the White House.
The cocaine was initially discovered during the Biden administration in 2023, with the first investigation concluding without identifying a suspect. Now, under President Trump's administration, the FBI has decided to take another look at the evidence and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The renewed probe comes as part of a broader effort by the current FBI leadership to address cases of potential public corruption that have attracted significant public interest. Bongino has indicated that he receives weekly updates on the progress of these investigations and that the agency is making headway in its efforts.
