The U.S. Treasury Building and Hotel Washington were evacuated as bomb squad teams responded to a suspicious package just 500 meters from the White House, prompting road closures and a major police presence before authorities ultimately declared the area safe.
Key Takeaways
- Secret Service and DC Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a suspicious package near the White House.
- The U.S. Treasury Building and Hotel Washington were evacuated as a precautionary measure during the investigation.
- Multiple streets were closed in the vicinity, including 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, causing significant traffic disruption.
- The Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team examined the package and deemed the scene safe.
- No injuries were reported during the incident, which occurred approximately 500 meters from the White House.
Swift Response to Potential Threat
Federal and local authorities responded quickly to reports of a suspicious package near the White House. The United States Secret Service (USSS) focused their attention on an area near 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, roughly 500 meters from the White House. The response was immediate and substantial, with a major police presence observed around the entire block near the Treasury Department as authorities worked to secure the area and assess the potential threat.
I’m not sure what’s happening outside the Treasury Department right now
The entire block is shut down to vehicle and pedestrian traffic
And a b@mb suit has been brought out pic.twitter.com/2prnEeFrNT
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) April 3, 2025
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team was dispatched to the scene, with officers seen arriving equipped with specialized bomb suits. As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated both the U.S. Treasury Building and the nearby Hotel Washington, temporarily displacing employees and guests while the investigation proceeded. This quick mobilization demonstrated the well-established security protocols designed to protect government facilities and the public in the nation’s capital.
Traffic Disruptions and Security Perimeter
The security response caused significant disruptions to the downtown Washington area, as authorities established a wide perimeter around the potential threat. Multiple streets were closed during the investigation, including 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW at 15th Street NW, extending from New York Avenue NW to E Street NW. Additionally, 17th Street was closed from Pennsylvania to E Street. These closures created traffic congestion in the busy downtown area as the work day was beginning, affecting government employees, tourists, and local businesses.
The extensive road closures reflected standard security protocols for incidents near critical government facilities, particularly those in close proximity to the White House. Some of these closures remained in effect even after the immediate threat had been addressed, as authorities completed their investigation and cleared the area. The scale of the response underscores the seriousness with which security threats are treated in the capital’s highest-security zones.
All-Clear Given After Investigation
After a thorough examination by bomb technicians and security personnel, authorities determined that the suspicious package did not pose an actual threat. The Secret Service subsequently announced that the scene was safe, allowing evacuees to return to the Treasury Building and Hotel Washington. While specific details about the nature of the suspicious package have not been publicly disclosed, the incident was resolved without any reported injuries or property damage, indicating the effectiveness of the security response.
The incident highlights the well-coordinated response capabilities of federal and local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., particularly when dealing with potential threats in the vicinity of critical government buildings. While authorities have not released further information about the investigation, the rapid resolution demonstrates the effectiveness of established security protocols. As a routine precaution in such matters, the incident may still be subject to further investigation to determine the origin of the package and whether any criminal intent was involved.
Sources:
Bomb squad swoop after suspicious package found near Treasury Department in Washington D.C
Treasury, hotel evacuated after ‘suspicious package’ reported near White House
Treasury Building Evacuates After Suspicious Package Found Near White House
