The Blubber

A substance discovered in the White House complex caused a temporary shutdown of the facility on Sunday evening. According to two law enforcement officials and a recording of a radio dispatch, the substance tested positive for cocaine soon after its discovery. It was found in a common area of the West Wing, which houses the Oval Office and offices of top aides and support staff.

Specifically, the substance was found in a storage facility within the West Wing. This particular storage cubby is routinely used by White House staff and guests to store their cellphones. A senior law enforcement official informed CBS News about the location of the substance.

Acknowledging the discovery of an "unknown item," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that a "precautionary closure" of the White House took place. The D.C. Fire Department was called in to evaluate the substance. Fortunately, it was determined to be non-hazardous during their assessment.

To confirm the nature of the substance definitively, further testing is currently underway. The investigation is also focused on determining how the cocaine ended up within the White House premises. It remains a matter of concern as to how the substance managed to enter a highly secure environment like the White House.

During the incident, President Biden was not present at the White House. Along with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and their family, he had departed for Camp David on Friday. They returned to the White House on Tuesday to participate in an event with the National Education Association and partake in Fourth of July festivities. The President's absence from the White House indicates that he was not directly affected by the discovery of the substance.

Overall, the incident raises questions about security protocols within the White House and emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.