In 2023, the Secret Service faced controversy over a bag of cocaine found in the White House. The cocaine was discovered by a Uniformed Division officer on July 2, while President Biden and his family were away. Kimberly Cheatle, then Director of the Secret Service, and other top officials wanted to destroy the cocaine, but this was opposed by the Forensics Services Division and the Uniformed Division.
Disagreements arose between agency leaders over how to handle the incident. Initially, one Uniformed Division officer was assigned to investigate, but after requesting a specific crime scene protocol, he was removed from the case. The officer found the bag in a White House vestibule, which led to an evacuation and on-site testing by the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department. The substance was confirmed as cocaine.
Despite the Secret Service’s internal investigation and subsequent tests by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI, which found no hazardous materials and only partial DNA matches, the agency chose not to pursue further DNA searches or interviews. This decision was influenced by a desire to avoid further complications and resource strains.
The incident sparked media attention and political speculation, particularly concerning Hunter Biden, although neither he nor President Biden was present when the cocaine was found. The Secret Service closed its investigation, citing insufficient evidence to identify a suspect. The decision not to destroy the evidence led to tension within the agency, particularly with Cheatle, who resigned following a separate assassination attempt against Donald Trump.
The Secret Service’s handling of the case, along with subsequent issues and mistakes, has been scrutinized, leading to corrections and clarifications from the agency regarding their security measures and decisions.
