GOP Headquarters Locked Down, Hazmat Team Activated

Following a suspected suspicious package discovery at the Republican National Committee offices on Wednesday morning, U.S. Capitol Police placed the facility under lockdown and later announced an all-clear.

Police blocked off the area outside the RNC offices near the US Capitol Complex at around 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Axios claimed that law enforcement urged personnel to avoid the area and informed congressional offices that they were investigating “suspicious material.” Onlookers noticed a heavy police presence and hazmat teams. The RNC headquarters are located at 310 First St. SE.

The item was recently cleared by our Division of Hazardous Incident Response. There were two bottles of blood inside. The package’s origin and contents will be the subject of additional investigation, the Capitol Police informed the Washington Examiner.

The RNC said in a statement, “We found vials of blood at RNC Headquarters in DC today. We appreciate law enforcement’s prompt response and assurance of everyone’s safety. Our unwavering determination to elect President Trump to the White House has allowed us to lift the lockdown and begin staff responsibilities.”

There was a closed area next to the Capitol South Metro station. Scripps News reported that Capitol Police informed RNC employees about the facility’s lockdown due to an “ongoing incident” and promised to allow them inside once they gave the all-clear. As of 9:40 a.m., observers reported that personnel were still in the evacuation process.