FBI reopens White House cocaine case, reigniting mystery and national scrutiny

The FBI has reopened its investigation into the bag of cocaine discovered in the White House in July 2023, raising fresh questions about security failures and the unanswered mystery at the heart of America’s most secure building.

On July 2, 2023, Secret Service agents found a small bag containing cocaine in a locker area near the West Wing entrance of the White House. This section is commonly used by staff, guests, and VIP visitors to temporarily store personal items before entering.

The discovery led to an immediate evacuation and prompted nationwide headlines. The FBI later confirmed the substance was cocaine, but the bag had no usable fingerprints or DNA, making it difficult to identify who left it behind.

At the time, President Joe Biden and his family were at Camp David, not in Washington, D.C.

FBI renews its efforts in high-profile cases

On May 26, 2025, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the agency had reassessed several unresolved cases, including the cocaine incident, the unsolved 2021 D.C. pipe bombing, and the 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs decision leak.

“We made the decision to either re-open, or push additional resources and investigative attention, to these cases,” Bongino wrote. “I receive requested briefings on these cases weekly and we are making progress.”

While Bongino did not disclose specific new evidence, his comments suggest the bureau is actively working to restore public trust by revisiting cases that sparked widespread concern and criticism.

The initial investigation was met with intense political debate. Former President Donald Trump recently reignited the conversation, saying in an interview with The Spectator:

“Well, either Joe or Hunter. Could be Joe, too.”

Though both Bidens were confirmed to be away from the White House at the time, Hunter Biden’s well-documented history of drug addiction has fueled ongoing speculation online and in political circles.

In his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things, Hunter described the depth of his past addiction:

“I probably smoked more parmesan cheese than anyone that you know,” he told CBS in a 2021 interview.

Court testimony later confirmed he has been sober since 2019.

Despite the public curiosity surrounding Hunter’s past, no evidence has linked him—or any individual—to the cocaine discovery.

Security concerns resurface

The incident also exposed vulnerabilities in White House security procedures. According to reports, more than 500 individuals had access to the area where the cocaine was found, making the investigation especially difficult.

Photos released by the Secret Service showed the locker area—similar to public storage cubbies seen at gyms or airports—raising questions about how such an item could go unnoticed during security screenings.

National security analyst Mark Zaid told CNN last year:

“It’s surprising and concerning that drugs could get into one of the most secure buildings in the world. It makes you wonder what else could slip through.”

With renewed investigative energy, the public is hoping the FBI might uncover new leads, suspects, or security lapses that were previously missed. While the agency hasn’t revealed whether any new evidence prompted the reopening, the move itself has reignited media and political interest in the case.

Experts say the FBI’s decision signals an effort to restore transparency and demonstrate accountability in high-profile, unresolved matters.

The White House cocaine case isn’t just about an abandoned bag of drugs. It reflects deeper concerns about how the government handles security, transparency, and public trust.

As the FBI digs deeper, Americans are once again watching closely—not just for answers, but for accountability.