Free Republic

Independent DC journalist Andrew Leyden has reported the United States Secret Service has just shut down streets near Lafayette Park, the Ellipse, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Hazmat crews were also spotted inside the gate of the West Wing of the White House after they received reports of a suspicious substance being found. DC Hazmat crews tested the suspicious substance, and it reportedly tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride. LOOK: DC Fire Hazmat reports they have found a substance that tests positive for Cocaine Hydrochloride near the White House, which is a local anesthetic. Audio from @OpenMHz https://t.co/poI9vabqM7 — Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) July...

The White House grounds were evacuated on Sunday due to the discovery of an initially unidentified package. “U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division Officers located an unknown item on the White House complex,” a Secret Service spokesman confirmed. “As a precaution, the White House grounds were evacuated, and the DC Fire Departments Hazmat team responded. Curiously, there hasn’t been a lot of news coverage of this incident. This seems odd because the evacuation of the White House and the response of a Hazmat team seems like a significant story. It’s true that the item was eventually deemed to be “non-hazardous” by...