West Florida News

WASHINGTON —  U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Helping Understand Narcotics Traces at the Executive Residence (HUNTER) Act. Due to the failure of the United States Secret Service (USSS) to identify an individual responsible for bringing cocaine into the White House in July, the legislation will require a report from the Director of the Secret Service on illicit use of controlled substances in the White House. 

“The United States Secret Service (USSS) refers to themselves as one of the most elite law enforcement agencies in the world. It’s completely unacceptable that the USSS has failed to find who is responsible for bringing cocaine into one of the most secure buildings in the world,” said Rep. Steube. “The American people deserve answers. My legislation demands information on the closed investigation into the cocaine found at the White House in July and focuses on how Congress can provide oversight to prevent future illicit usage of controlled substances in the White House.”

Specifically, the legislation requires that the report include: steps taken to avoid controlled substances from coming into the White House; vulnerabilities where drugs can make its way into the White House; a full account of the investigation into the cocaine found at the White House in 2023; and recommendations on how Congress can provide oversight or resources to prevent illicit usage of controlled substances in the Executive Branch.

Background: 

On July 2, 2023, a white powder substance was found on White House property and later positively identified by the FBI as cocaine. Although reporting initially indicated the substance was possibly found in the library, the USSS later stated the drug was found by the West Executive Avenue entrance to the White House. The USSS stated on July 13 that their investigation to identify a person of interest was closed due to a “lack of physical evidence.” 

Original source can be found here.