Evacuations Ordered in D.C. After Mysterious Package Found Near Iconic Location

Police car near United States Capitol building steps

A suspicious package discovered near the White House prompted rapid evacuations of the U.S. Treasury Building and Hotel Washington before authorities ultimately determined there was no threat.

Quick Takes

The suspicious package was reported near 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, approximately 500 meters from the White House.
Both the U.S. Treasury Building and Hotel Washington were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team responded swiftly, with officers arriving on scene with bomb suits.
Multiple roads were closed around the Treasury Department during the investigation, creating significant disruption in downtown DC.
Authorities later deemed the area safe, allowing evacuees to return to buildings, though some roads remained closed into the afternoon.

Swift Response from Federal and Local Authorities

The incident began when authorities received reports of a suspicious package approximately 500 meters from the White House near the intersection of 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The United States Secret Service (USSS) immediately deployed to the location after the initial call came in. A major police presence quickly secured the entire block surrounding the Treasury Department, with responding officers arriving with specialized equipment including bomb suits to assess potential threats.

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 joined Secret Service personnel at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation of the package. Following established security protocols, authorities evacuated both the U.S. Treasury Building and the Hotel Washington as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of employees, visitors, and tourists in the area. No injuries were reported during the evacuation or subsequent investigation.

Significant Disruption in Downtown Washington

The security alert caused substantial disruption in the heart of Washington DC as authorities implemented extensive road closures surrounding the affected area. Streets were shut down at 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW at 15th Street NW, from New York Avenue NW to E Street NW, and along 17th Street from Pennsylvania to E Street. These closures created traffic congestion and affected both vehicle and pedestrian movement in one of the busiest areas of the capital.

The rapid deployment of federal and local law enforcement highlights the significant security presence maintained around critical government facilities and national monuments in Washington DC. Even as some roads remained closed, authorities worked to gradually restore normal operations in the area while maintaining necessary security measures. The high-visibility response demonstrates the seriousness with which potential threats near government buildings are treated.

Resolution of the Security Situation

After a thorough examination of the package by the bomb squad and specialized units, authorities determined that there was no active threat. The Secret Service confirmed that “the scene is now safe,” allowing evacuees to return to the Treasury Building and Hotel Washington. Officials have not released details about the nature of the package that prompted the security response, following standard protocol for security incidents in sensitive government areas.

This incident serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance maintained around key government institutions in the nation’s capital. Security protocols implemented following this suspicious package report demonstrated the coordinated response capabilities between federal and local law enforcement agencies.