Internal turmoil rocked the White House as allegations emerged about the attempted destruction of cocaine evidence by top Secret Service officials.

As reported by RealClear Politics, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle was accused of seeking to discard cocaine discovered at the White House.

The White House encountered an unprecedented situation on July 2, 2023, when a member of the Uniformed Division stumbled upon cocaine within the premises.

Discovery of Cocaine Unsettles the White House

At the time, President Biden and his family were not at the White House, having retreated to Camp David for a break. The find immediately ignited controversy and began what would be a harrowing ordeal inside one of the United States' most secure buildings.

The substance's discovery didn't just lead to shock and security concerns; it sparked intense debate among the Secret Service's ranks on handling it.

Several top leaders, including then-Director Kimberly Cheatle and then-Acting Director Ron Rowe, favored the destruction of the cocaine, presumably to avoid public scandal.

FBI Finds Partial DNA Match in Cocaine Case

Contrary to the wishes of Cheatle and Rowe, the Secret Service’s Forensics Services Division and the Uniformed Division expressed firm opposition to the idea of destroying the evidence.

They insisted on adhering to crime-scene protocols, including retention and thorough evidence examination. Nonetheless, resistance from the higher echelons led to the removal of the officer who initially found the cocaine and advocated for these protocols. His removal from the investigation highlighted the internal discord among the agency’s divisions.

The Secret Service sent the plastic bag containing cocaine to the FBI crime lab for fingerprint and DNA analysis. While no fingerprints were found, the FBI discovered some DNA material.

According to sources, a partial DNA match was identified, which usually indicates a connection to a blood relative within a limited group of people.

Hunter Biden's Presence Raises Questions

Fueling speculation on motives behind the alleged push to destroy the evidence, it was noted that Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son known for his previous struggles with substance abuse, had been staying at the White House shortly before the cocaine was found.

Despite Hunter’s claims of sobriety since 2021, his presence raised eyebrows and questions about the influence it may have had on the decision-making process.

Tensions Escalate Leading to Resignations

The controversy surrounding the handling of the cocaine discovery was further complicated by the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The failed assassination attempt, although unrelated directly to the cocaine scandal, fed into the burgeoning storm of controversy facing the Secret Service, leading to bipartisan calls for accountability.

In the wake of these events and mounting pressure, Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position. Cheatle, appointed by President Biden in 2022 and considered to have a close relationship with his family, faced intense scrutiny not only from the public and media but also from within the government itself.

Official Statements and Public Scrutiny

In response to these allegations, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement vehemently denying any misconduct.

“This is false. 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,” Guglielmi stated, aiming to quell the growing dissent and suspicion surrounding the agency’s integrity.

The assurance from the Secret Service spokesperson did little to mitigate the scandal’s fallout. As public confidence in the agency wavered, the calls for a deeper investigation into the decisions and actions of its leaders during this period have only intensified.

Conclusion

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other top leaders allegedly wanted to destroy cocaine found in the White House last summer. Still, according to Secret Service sources, the Forensics Services Division and the Uniformed Division opposed this. Heated disagreements occurred after the discovery, and Cheatle's push to dispose of the evidence reportedly led to retaliation against those who resisted. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi denied these claims, stating the agency adhered to investigation protocols.