FBI reexamining Dobbs opinion leak, D.C. pipe bombs and White House cocaine cases
The FBI is refocusing on three, high-profile cases that emerged just before and during the Biden administration, Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, announced Monday on X.
The FBI wants to revive or invest more resources into cases that Bongino said pointed to “potential public corruption,” including the investigation into a pair of undetonated pipe bombs left near the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, and the discovery of a bag of cocaine at the White House over July 4 weekend in 2023.
The third case getting renewed scrutiny is the 2022 leak of the unpublished Supreme Court Dobbs decision, which ended federal protections for abortion. An eight month investigation into the leak, ordered by Chief Justice John Roberts, was unable to identify the person responsible.
“Shortly after swearing in, [FBI Director Kash Patel] and I evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest. We made the decision to either re-open, or push additional resources and investigative attention, to these cases,” Bongino posted on X.
He continued, “I receive requested briefings on these cases weekly and we are making progress. If you have any investigative tips on these matters that may assist us then please contact the FBI.”
NPR reached out to the FBI for additional information, but did not hear back before this story published.
The pipe bomb case has remained open since the devices were discovered over four years ago. In January, the FBI released new details and a video showing a potential suspect leaving the pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC buildings the night before the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Authorities said they conducted 1,000 interviews, reviewed 39,000 video files and sifted through some 600 tips — but the alleged bomber remains elusive.
The White House cocaine case began when the drug was found stashed in a cubby hole near the Situation Room, where officials store cell phones during meetings.
The U.S. Secret Service stopped looking for the owner of the dime bag of cocaine about 10 days after it was first discovered on July 2, 2023, citing a lack of physical evidence.
Prior to taking a role at the FBI, Bongino had suggested the cocaine belonged to a member of the Biden family. A few days after it was found, he wrote on X, “There’s absolutely ZERO chance anyone other than a family member brought that cocaine inside the White House complex.”
President Biden and his family were away at the time and the West Wing is frequented by visitors and tours.
Mentally ill people are stuck in jail because they can’t get treatment. Here’s what’s to know
Hundreds of people across Alabama await a spot in the state’s increasingly limited facilities, despite a consent decree requiring the state to address delays in providing care for people who are charged with crimes but deemed too mentally ill to stand trial. But seven years since the federal agreement, the problem has only worsened.
Ivey appoints Will Parker to Alabama Supreme Court
Parker fills the court seat vacated by Bill Lewis who was tapped by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship. The U.S. Senate last month confirmed Lewis as a U.S. district judge.
How Alabama Power kept bills up and opposition out to become one of the most powerful utilities in the country
In one of the poorest states in America, the local utility earns massive profits producing dirty energy with almost no pushback from state regulators.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
