House Republicans are probing the discovery of cocaine at the White House.
On Friday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said his committee is investigating the incident.
“This alarming development requires the Committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and finding of the illegal substance,” Comer wrote in a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
He went on to state his committee is requesting “additional information” from the Secret Service about the incident.
“The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House’s history,” Comer continued.
He added:
“This incident has raised additional concerns with the Committee regarding the level of security maintained at the White House. In order to assist the Committee with its investigation, please provide a staff level briefing on this matter by July 14, 2023.”
Check out the letter below:
House Oversight Chair James Comer has now sent a letter to Secret Service this morning requesting a briefing and information after cocaine was found at the White House. https://t.co/Z4ptvLS9jT pic.twitter.com/RzD7cboorx
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) July 7, 2023
Earlier this week, the Secret Service confirmed cocaine was found in the West Wing of the White House.
On Thursday, NBC News reported sources involved in the investigation of the incident said the cocaine was found in a cubby near the White House’s West Executive entrance.
It was originally reported the drug was found in the heavily trafficked lobby of the West Wing.
The outlet noted the newly reported location is “also heavily trafficked.”
“The cocaine was found in an entrance area between the foyer and a lower-level lobby, the sources said. The entrance is near where some vehicles, like the vice president’s limo or SUV park. It is one floor below the main West Wing offices and the same floor as the Situation Room and a dining area,” NBC explained.
A law enforcement official told Politico it was unlikely the individual who brought the cocaine into the White House will be discovered as it was found in a highly trafficked area.
President Joe Biden and his family were at Camp David when the cocaine was reportedly found.