The FBI has announced a significant decision to reopen or allocate additional resources to three major cases that have attracted considerable public attention and scrutiny from congressional Republicans. Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed this update on Monday, emphasizing the agency's commitment to resolving these high-profile investigations.
The cases under renewed scrutiny include the investigation into a 2021 pipe bomber, a disturbing incident involving cocaine found at the Biden White House during the Fourth of July weekend in 2023, and the leak of a landmark Supreme Court opinion. Bongino shared this information on social media platform X, highlighting the importance of public interest in these matters.
In July 2023, during the Fourth of July holiday, cocaine was discovered in the White House. However, the Secret Service closed the case on July 12, 2023, citing an inability to identify a suspect. The substance was located in an area accessible to hundreds of individuals, and no security footage was available to aid in the investigation. According to the FBI, without tangible evidence, it is impossible to single out a person of interest from the vast number of individuals who passed through the location where the cocaine was found. The FBI stated, "At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence." This conclusion has raised security concerns among House Republicans, prompting them to question the protocols in place at the White House.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) expressed his concerns, stating, "This alarming development requires the Committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and the finding of the illegal substance."
Another significant case being revisited is the investigation into the leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which played a crucial role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. This leak, which occurred on May 2, 2022, was published by Politico and has led to intense scrutiny and calls for accountability. The Supreme Court attempted to investigate the leak but was unable to pinpoint the leaker, despite interviewing over 100 employees. Notably, none of the justices were questioned during this investigation. Congressional Republicans have attributed the leak to liberal factions and have called for a broader congressional inquiry.
In response to the leak, then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise stated, "Yesterday's unprecedented leak is an attempt to severely damage the Supreme Court. This clearly coordinated campaign to intimidate and obstruct the Justices of the United States Supreme Court must be immediately investigated."
The third case involves a pipe bombing incident that took place on January 5, 2021, when two explosive devices were placed outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee offices in Washington, D.C., just before the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Despite a $500,000 reward offered by the FBI for information leading to the identification or arrest of the individual responsible, the agency has faced significant challenges in making progress on this case. Four years have passed since the incident, and law enforcement has yet to identify a suspect, even with available video evidence.
Bongino emphasized that the FBI is committed to pursuing these cases, stating, "I receive requested briefings on these cases weekly, and we are making progress." He also encouraged the public to come forward with any investigative tips that may assist the FBI in their ongoing efforts.
The reopening of these investigations by the FBI underscores the agency's dedication to transparency and accountability in high-profile cases that resonate with the public. As these investigations progress, the implications for national security and public trust in government institutions remain significant.
