The mystery of the cocaine found at the White House continues.
As we have reported, the story has already changed multiple times as reported by the media. First, it was “near the White House.” Then it was on the “White House complex.” Then it was reported it was found in the library.
But then on Tuesday, July 4th, when most Americans were likely not following the news, we heard that it was in a “work area” in the West Wing, that it was in a “baggie,” not loose or concealed. We were told by the Secret Service that, despite reports of first responders saying it was found in the library, that wasn’t the case.
Good Morning Twitterland. Let the cocaine spin begin. I clearly hear “library” on this Hazmat audio, but WH spins it to ‘common workspace in the West Wing’ open to tours. pic.twitter.com/wVDgtBdBUy
— SweetPeaBelle (@SweetPeaBell326) July 5, 2023
The substance was found in a common area of the West Wing, which houses the Oval Office and offices of some of the president’s top aides and support staff. A senior law enforcement official told CBS News the substance was found in a storage facility in a cubby routinely used by White House staff and guests to store cellphones.
I would think that description would limit the number of places that this could be. Yet we’re still not being told exactly what office or area it was in. The White House library isn’t next to the West Wing, it’s on the other side of the building, below the residential quarters, as you can see from these maps.
The position of the White House residence and the West Wing:
— Dr. Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) July 5, 2023
The West Wing, with the far right side showing the Palm Room.
— Dr. Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) July 5, 2023
You can see here why where it is would give you big clues.
Then here’s the first floor of the White House where the library is. Notice the distance from the Palm Room.
— Dr. Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) July 5, 2023
The residential quarters are on the second floor and the guest bedrooms are near the stairs, the Queens’ bedroom is over the library.
— Dr. Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) July 5, 2023
The failure to say where it was found exactly is sticking in the craw of former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
What gibberish. A West Wing “work area”?
With the exception of the WH Mess and the bathrooms, the entire West Wing is a work area. Where exactly was the cocaine found? In whose office? In the Sit Room? In the private office next to the Oval?
Where?
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 5, 2023
“What gibberish. A West Wing “work area”? Fleischer tweeted. “With the exception of the WH Mess and the bathrooms, the entire West Wing is a work area. Where exactly was the cocaine found? In whose office? In the Sit Room [Situation Room]? In the private office next to the Oval? Where?”
Where it is will of course give you a big clue as to who might have brought it in and maybe that’s why we were getting “work area.”
But hold onto your hats, even as I write this story, the story is evolving yet again.
Now, instead of just a “work area” we’re being told that this was in an area near where visitors taking tours of the West Wing are instructed to leave their cellphones.
The coke was found, WaPo reports, near where visitors taking tours of the West Wing are instructed to leave their cellphones. https://t.co/dc6sDvI1N6
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) July 5, 2023
This sounds like a bit of a distancing job. It has to be the fault of someone outside the White House, they can’t have it be anyone in the White House. Because folks coming in to tour the White House bring their cocaine and leave it in cubby holes? Of course, it’s hard to believe that anyone would bring it in, much less leave it there, given all the security.
While the Secret Service said they are continuing to investigate, there’s now also a report that they’re saying the “culprit” is “unlikely” to be found, despite all those cameras and security.
But one official familiar with the investigation cautioned that the source of the drug was unlikely to be determined given that it was discovered in a highly trafficked area of the West Wing.
The small amount of cocaine was found in a cubby area for storing electronics within the West Exec basement entryway into the West Wing, where many people have authorized access, including staff or visitors coming in for West Wing tours.
Asked what the chances are of finding the culprit, the official said “it’s gonna be very difficult for us to do that because of where it was.”
“Even if there were surveillance cameras, unless you were waving it around, it may not have been caught” by the cameras, added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity given that it’s an ongoing investigation. “It’s a bit of a thoroughfare. People walk by there all the time.”
Oh. So what does this say about this security? Or does it say more about the lack of transparency of the Biden team? Either way, not a great look when you’re supposed to have security for the alleged leader of the free world, but you let this go on and seem to be prepping not to hold anyone responsible.
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