During the Oval Office meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday, President Biden was asked about the baggie of cocaine found in the White House last weekend.
But as usual, the president refused to answer, only offering the usual condescending grin he uses when ignoring reporters’ questions.
The Washington Post first reported on Monday that a uniformed Secret Service officer discovered cocaine during a routine search of the White House on Sunday. However, in the Post’s report, it was not yet known where in the White House the cocaine was found or how it was packaged.
On Wednesday, administration officials claimed that the cocaine was discovered near the West Wing lobby, in an area that is included in the White House tours, which suggested that the cocaine may have been left behind by someone who toured the White House.
But on Thursday, NBC News reported that officials involved in the ongoing investigation said the baggie of cocaine was not found in the West Wing lobby, but near the West Executive entrance between the lower-level lobby and foyer, on the level below the West Wing offices not far from the Situation Room.
This revelation ruled out the chance that the cocaine was left by a random visitor as the entrance is only used by White House staff and approved visitors.
While forensic work continues on the baggie, investigators say they may never be able to determine who left the cocaine.
But in a Twitter thread Thursday evening, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) disputed the claim that the Secret Service would not be able to figure out how the cocaine got there.
Lee argued that this is a “heavily secured” and “constantly surveilled” entrance of the White House used only by staff and visitors with “preapproved appointments to the West Wing.” He noted that everyone entering from the West Executive entrance must go through a multi-layered security screening.
Additionally, Lee pointed out that the entrance is blanketed by surveillance cameras and every visitor entering must empty their pockets during screening, making it unlikely that the Secret Service would have overlooked a baggie of cocaine.
