New FBI inquiries target Supreme Court leak and White House drug incident
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on May 26, 2025, the initiation of new investigations into two high-profile incidents that have stirred significant controversy in the United States: the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House and the 2022 leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. These probes, confirmed by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, are being conducted in Washington, D.C., aiming to resolve cases that remain unsolved despite prior efforts. Bongino shared the decision via a post on X, stating he requested weekly updates on the investigations’ progress. Both incidents, which have fueled political debates, raise critical questions about security protocols and institutional confidentiality in key U.S. establishments.
The investigations focus on separate but equally contentious events. The cocaine case involves a small bag of the substance found in a storage cubby near the West Wing entrance two years ago. The Dobbs leak, meanwhile, exposed a draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending constitutional protections for abortion rights. Both cases have been focal points for speculation, particularly among conservative commentators.
- Cocaine discovery: Found in 2023 in a high-traffic White House area.
- Dobbs leak: Published on May 2, 2022, revealing a pivotal judicial decision.
- FBI’s role: Leading new efforts with enhanced resources.
The lack of resolution in earlier investigations by the Secret Service and the Supreme Court has heightened public and political interest in these renewed efforts.
Background of the incidents
The cocaine was discovered in a storage cubby in the West Wing, an area frequented by White House staff, visitors, and media. The incident occurred in 2023, during a period of intense political scrutiny. The Secret Service, responsible for the initial investigation, closed the case without identifying a culprit, citing insufficient evidence. At the time, White House officials dismissed suggestions linking the substance to President Joe Biden or his family, noting their absence from Washington during the incident.
The Dobbs leak, published by Politico on May 2, 2022, marked a rare breach of Supreme Court confidentiality. The draft opinion signaled the Court’s intent to overturn Roe v. Wade, a 1973 ruling that established abortion rights. The leak triggered nationwide protests and intensified debates over judicial security. The Supreme Court’s internal investigation failed to pinpoint the source of the disclosure, leaving the case unresolved.
Public and political reactions
The cocaine discovery sparked immediate commentary from political figures. During the 2023 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump speculated, without evidence, that the drugs might belong to President Biden or his son, Hunter Biden. White House spokespersons labeled such claims “irresponsible,” emphasizing that the Biden family was not in Washington at the time. A spokesperson for Biden declined to comment on the new FBI probe.
The Dobbs leak drew sharp criticism from Trump, who described the leaker as “slime” and called for journalists to reveal their sources under threat of imprisonment. The Supreme Court condemned the breach as a severe violation of its protocols. The incident amplified concerns about the integrity of the judicial process, with no responsible party identified in the initial inquiry.
- Trump’s stance: Harsh words for the leaker and media.
- White House response: Rejection of cocaine-related allegations.
- Supreme Court: Denounced leak as a trust violation.
FBI’s approach to the probes
Dan Bongino, a former conservative podcaster now serving as FBI Deputy Director, announced the investigations, underscoring the agency’s commitment to resolving the cases. The FBI is deploying additional resources, including specialized teams, to reexamine evidence. Bongino, who requested weekly progress reports, made the announcement amid broader agency changes, such as the reassignment of 1,500 agents and the closure of the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington.
The FBI is also intensifying its investigation into a separate incident: the placement of pipe bombs at the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters in January 2021. Planted the night before the Capitol riot, the devices were safely disarmed but remain a significant security concern.
Details of the cocaine case
In 2023, a small plastic bag containing cocaine was found in a storage cubby near the West Wing entrance, an area accessible to a wide range of individuals. The Secret Service reviewed security footage and conducted forensic tests but could not identify the responsible party. The small quantity of the substance and the high volume of foot traffic in the area posed challenges to the investigation, which was closed without charges.
- Location: Storage cubby in the West Wing.
- Quantity: Minimal, not indicative of trafficking.
- Challenges: Heavy traffic hindered identification.
- Previous outcome: Secret Service closed case without leads.
Focus on the Dobbs leak
The leak of the Dobbs draft opinion, published on May 2, 2022, exposed the Supreme Court’s plan to overturn Roe v. Wade. The disclosure, obtained by Politico, confirmed a majority of justices favored ending the 1973 precedent. The leak sparked protests and deepened political divides. The Supreme Court’s internal probe, which included reviews of communications and documents, failed to identify the leaker, raising concerns about judicial security.
The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in the Court’s confidentiality measures. The final Dobbs decision, released in June 2022, aligned with the leaked draft, eliminating federal abortion protections and shifting regulatory authority to states.
Enhanced FBI resources
The FBI is leveraging advanced forensic tools and expanded personnel for the investigations. For the cocaine case, agents are reanalyzing security footage, visitor logs, and forensic evidence. In the Dobbs inquiry, the focus is on internal Supreme Court communications and potential external contacts with media. The allocation of additional resources underscores the priority given to these cases, which touch on national security and public trust.
- Cocaine probe: Reviewing footage and forensic data.
- Dobbs investigation: Examining judicial communications.
- Additional case: Pipe bombs from 2021 under scrutiny.
Political climate surrounding the cases
Both incidents unfolded against a backdrop of deep political polarization. The cocaine discovery was seized upon by conservative figures to criticize the Biden administration, while the Dobbs leak fueled debates over the Supreme Court’s role, with conservatives condemning the breach and progressives opposing the ruling itself. The involvement of Bongino, a polarizing figure, may further amplify public attention on the investigations.
The FBI’s decision to revisit the cases coincides with internal restructuring, including the closure of its Washington headquarters and agent reassignments. These changes could shape the investigations’ execution, with Bongino’s high-profile role adding a layer of scrutiny.
Prior investigative efforts
Previous investigations by the Secret Service and the Supreme Court faced significant hurdles. In the cocaine case, the absence of clear forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, and the area’s accessibility complicated efforts. For the Dobbs leak, the complexity of tracing internal and external communications stymied the Supreme Court’s probe. The lack of results in both cases drew criticism of institutional preparedness and security measures.
- Secret Service: No actionable evidence in cocaine case.
- Supreme Court: Internal probe yielded no leaker.
- Public critique: Questions raised about institutional efficacy.
Next steps in the investigations
The FBI is adopting a comprehensive approach to the renewed probes. In the cocaine case, agents are interviewing past witnesses and cross-referencing visitor records. For the Dobbs leak, the investigation may involve analyzing electronic devices and interviewing Court personnel. The commitment to weekly updates suggests an emphasis on transparency, though specific methodologies remain undisclosed.
The age of the cases presents challenges, as evidence may have degraded or become less accessible. Nevertheless, the FBI has expressed confidence in its ability to make progress, citing improved technology and dedicated resources. The outcomes could significantly impact public perceptions of the involved institutions.
