The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced its decision to reexamine several high-profile cases from the Biden administration era that had previously gone cold. This move comes under the direction of FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who recently took office. The cases in question include an incident involving cocaine found at the White House, the leak of a draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court, and the discovery of pipe bombs outside political party headquarters.
In early 2023, a bag of cocaine was discovered within the premises of the White House, prompting an investigation that was closed after 11 days due to "insufficient DNA" and the absence of viable fingerprints for comparison. Despite interviewing hundreds of individuals with access to the area, the U.S. Secret Service concluded the investigation with no suspects.
Another case under renewed scrutiny is the 2022 leak of a draft opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which indicated the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. The leak, described by Chief Justice John Roberts as "a singular and egregious betrayal of trust," led to an eight-month investigation by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The investigation ended without identifying any suspects or evidence of an IT system breach at the court.
Additionally, the FBI is revisiting the January 2021 incident where two pipe bombs were found outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. These explosives, which were planted the night before the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, led to the evacuation of the DNC building where then–Vice President Kamala Harris was present. Despite surveillance footage depicting an individual planting the device, no suspects have been named.
Bongino has confirmed that these cases are being provided with additional investigative resources. "Shortly after swearing in, the Director and I evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest," Bongino stated. He emphasized the FBI's commitment to transparency and accountability, promising weekly updates to the public on the progress of these investigations.
Critics of the former FBI Director Christopher Wray have raised concerns over the swift closure of these cases and the perceived lack of transparency. With a promise of progress and a fresh commitment to public integrity, the current leadership at the FBI aims to address these criticisms head-on.
The reopened investigations signal a shift in the bureau’s approach to handling cases that have captured the public’s attention. While specific timelines for the resolution of these cases have not been disclosed, the FBI has committed to keeping the public informed, underscoring the importance of accountability in law enforcement.
Bongino's recent tweet underscores the bureau's efforts to reform and improve its internal processes: "The Director and I will have most of our incoming reform teams in place by next week. The hiring process can take a little bit of time, but we are approaching that…" This statement reflects the FBI's dedication to instituting changes and addressing past concerns.
