A scandal has shaken the United States Secret Service with allegations regarding cocaine found inside the White House.
RealClear Politics reported that the former director of the U.S. Secret Service allegedly sought the destruction of cocaine discovered at the White House, sparking extensive internal discord and leading to her resignation.
On July 2, 2023, while President Joe Biden and his family were away at Camp David, cocaine was uncovered within the premises of the White House.
This startling discovery initiated a series of controversial actions purportedly led by then Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other senior officials, who reportedly advocated for the drugs’ elimination.
The revelation of cocaine incited a significant split within the Secret Service ranks. The Secret Service's Forensics Services Division and its Uniformed Division were vocally opposed to the disposal of the cocaine, advocating instead to adhere to standard crime scene processing protocols.
In the turmoil that ensued, an officer from the Uniformed Division responsible for the initial investigation was reportedly sidelined after he insisted on following these protocols. This action further exposed the rift within the agency over the correct course of action.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, refuted claims that there were any directives issued to destroy the evidence. He emphasized the agency’s rigorous adherence to procedures. "This is false,” Guglielmi said.
The US Secret Service takes its investigative and protective responsibilities very seriously. There are retention policies for criminal investigations, and the Secret Service adhered to those requirements during this case.
Kimberly Cheatle's tenure as director came to an abrupt end following a separate, high-profile incident on July 13—an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Cheatle, who had cultivated a relationship with the Biden family during her tenure on Vice President Joe Biden’s protective detail, faced bipartisan pressure and subsequently resigned.
In the buildup to these events, Hunter Biden, known for his struggles with substance abuse, had spent time at the White House, although no direct connection between him and the cocaine found has been established. The implications surrounding the cocaine's origin and intended disposal have left many unanswered questions.
Anthony Guglielmi further declined to comment on the specifics of the internal disagreements or the alleged sidelining and potential retaliation against officers who opposed the destruction directive. The Secret Service's handling of this case continues to be scrutinized internally and by the public.
Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle wanted to destroy cocaine evidence found in the White House, but the Forensics Services Division and Uniformed Division rejected this. Heated disagreements followed the discovery of the cocaine, and an officer who followed crime-scene protocol was removed from the case.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi denied any orders to destroy evidence. The discovery of the cocaine created controversy, especially due to Hunter Biden's past addiction, but investigations were limited, leading to no conclusive identification of the person responsible.
