FBI Probes Letters With ‘Suspicious Substances’ Sent to Congressional, Election Offices: Report

(AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced Thursday they are investigating a wave of suspicious letters containing unknown “substances” sent to election and congressional offices across the country, warning the contents could be “potentially hazardous.”

The letters have reportedly been delivered to secretary of state offices, election administrators and congressional offices nationwide.

“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” an FBI spokesperson told the Associated Press. “We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”

In Congress, the threat appeared so far to be confined to the Senate, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by the Associated Press, although the House was monitoring developments.

Election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma were evacuated after packages containing powdery substances were delivered, while the Postal Service intercepted another package containing white powder that had been addressed to Ohio’s secretary of state. Ohio officials said similar mailings had been sent to election officials in several other states.

The incidents come as election administrators prepare for the November midterms amid heightened concern over threats against officials and workers.

The National Association of Secretaries of State and National Association of State Election Directors condemned the mailings as threats against election personnel.

“Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties,” the groups said.

The latest scare echoes a series of incidents in 2023, when election offices in multiple states received envelopes containing fentanyl or other suspicious substances, forcing evacuations and disrupting operations.

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