RNC Headquarters Reopens Following Discovery of ‘Suspicious Substance’

The Republican National Committee’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., was previously placed “under lockdown” due to the discovery of a “suspicious substance” on Wednesday. However, the headquarters has since been reopened.

Capitol Police confirmed that an “all clear” has been issued at the headquarters, as reported by ABC News correspondent John Parkinson. This update came shortly after news of the lockdown surfaced.

According to Parkinson, an officer mentioned the seriousness of the situation by referring to the placement of multiple pipe bombs on Capitol Hill in January 2021.

While the exact nature of the substance remains unknown, an unnamed source informed The New York Post that “it sounds like vials of blood were sent in a package and something broke open.”

There have been no reports of injuries or further validation of the source’s claims.

“Capitol Police have informed congressional offices about the investigation of a ‘suspicious substance’ at the RNC’s address, as stated in a notice obtained by @Axios,” shared Axios reporter Andrew Solender on X just before 9 a.m. “‘Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA until further notice,’ it says.”

Reported by NBC’s Dasha Burns on X, the RNC Headquarters was placed “under lockdown until further notice, with a hazmat team on site, according to sources.” 

Witnesses posting videos online mentioned that roads were closed near the RNC headquarters due to the discovery of a “suspicious package,” and noted a significant amount of police activity in the vicinity.