Cocaine discovery in White House West Wing sparks mystery.

The West Wing: Behind the Scenes at the White House

The West Wing is the bustling heart of the White House, where the president’s top staff work tirelessly to keep the country running smoothly. It’s home to the iconic Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Roosevelt Room, and the press briefing room, where reporters and photographers gather to capture the latest news.

Access to these areas is tightly controlled by the United States Secret Service (USSS), ensuring the safety and security of the president and his team. However, there are exceptions to this rule, as demonstrated by a recent incident involving a suspicious substance.

“The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David after the Secret Service discovered suspicious powder in a common area of the West Wing, and a preliminary test showed the substance was cocaine, two law enforcement officials said Tuesday,” the AP reported.

Interestingly, the AP report emphasized that the cocaine was found in an area accessible to tour groups, not in any specific office within the West Wing. This raises questions about the security measures in place and who has access to these sensitive areas.

According to the official White House webpage, visitors are only able to explore rooms in the East Wing and Residence, such as the State Dining Room, East Room, Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, and the Family Theater. The West Wing is off-limits to the public, making it even more intriguing that the suspicious substance was discovered in an area accessible to tour groups.

As someone who spent years working as a journalist inside the White House, I can attest that tour groups rarely, if ever, pass through the West Wing. Visitors enter from East Executive Avenue and explore the East Wing, occasionally catching glimpses of the Diplomatic Room, the Library, and the hallway adorned with portraits of past presidents and first ladies.

The circumstances surrounding the discovery of the cocaine are undeniably strange. Initial reports suggested that the substance was found in the library, which is part of the public tour. However, the Secret Service quickly clarified that it was actually found in a “work area,” not the library.

“On Sunday evening, the White House complex went into a precautionary closure as officers from the Secret Service Uniformed Division investigated an unknown item found inside a work area,” the USSS statement reads. “The DC Fire Department was called to evaluate and quickly determined the item to be non-hazardous.”

While President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, were not at the White House during the incident, social media was abuzz with speculation. Some even drew comparisons to the previous administration, highlighting the fact that no such incidents occurred during that time.

What a disgrace pic.twitter.com/S3rBLjjVQc

— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) July 4, 2023

Others took aim at Hunter Biden, who has publicly struggled with substance abuse. His presence at the White House prior to the incident fueled speculation and drew criticism from various quarters.

“It Appears that Cocaine, has been Found at the White House. –And it Wouldn’t be a Thumping July 4th Weekend, Without Hunter Biden Ripping Lines Off a Bust of Teddy Roosevelt.” pic.twitter.com/dCE0OGMAo2

— Tony Kambeitz (@Kambeitz9) July 4, 2023

These incidents are not the first time Hunter Biden’s personal struggles have made headlines. Recently, pictures resurfaced of him holding a crack cocaine pipe while driving to Las Vegas. Additionally, he reached a controversial deal with the Justice Department regarding a gun charge, raising further questions about his actions and judgment.

The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Joseph Curl, a seasoned political journalist with over 35 years of experience, including 12 years as a White House correspondent, shares his insights and observations. For tips and updates, follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.