Secret Service Investigating “White, Powdery Substance” Discovered in West Wing of White House

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a “small amount” of a “white, powdery substance” discovered in a “work area in the West Wing” of the White House on Sunday night. The incident led to a brief evacuation of the White House complex.

According to a statement from the Secret Service, the White House went into a “precautionary closure” on Sunday night as officers investigated an “unknown item” found in the complex. The Washington Post reported that two officials familiar with the matter and an apparent recording of a radio message from a responding D.C. Fire hazmat team said the substance tested positive for cocaine on a field test.

The Secret Service is now testing the substance, which they determined was “non-hazardous,” and said in a statement they are investigating the matter. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the D.C. Fire Department was called to evaluate the item, which it determined was “non-hazardous.”

The Secret Service has not released any further information on the incident, and it is unclear at this time who may have left the substance in the West Wing or what their intentions may have been. The investigation is ongoing.

The White House has not commented on the incident. It is unclear if the incident will have any impact on the operations of the West Wing or the White House complex.