The Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was evacuated on Wednesday morning due to a suspicious package, which was later cleared by police. Authorities, including hazmat teams, responded to the scene and conducted an investigation.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package was discovered, prompting a heavy police response and the deployment of a hazmat team.
Around 7:45 a.m., the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) received a report of a suspicious package in the 300 block of First Street, SE, according to a statement from the department to Fox News Digital. Officers responded to the scene and cordoned off the area for safety.
A hazmat team was called to examine the package, which contained two vials of blood. The source of the package and its contents are currently under investigation by law enforcement authorities.
The headquarters was evacuated as a precaution, and police officers were seen wearing uniforms identifying them as bomb techs and accompanied by K-9 units. DC Fire and EMS also responded to assist in the investigation.
After the package was cleared, the USCP confirmed that it no longer posed a threat. Police then reopened the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street from the RNC headquarters and the Capitol Hill Club.
The suspicious package incident comes amidst heightened security concerns in the nation's capital. The U.S. Capitol has been the site of several security breaches in recent years, including the January 6, 2021, insurrection.
The RNC is headquartered in a heavily fortified building near the U.S. Capitol. The committee is responsible for organizing and managing the Republican Party's national conventions and fundraising efforts.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat of suspicious packages sent to government buildings and other high-profile targets. Law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to detect and neutralize potential threats to public safety.
The investigation into the RNC suspicious package is ongoing. Authorities are working to determine the source of the package and the motive behind its delivery.
