Letters containing “suspicious substances” have turned up at Senate offices and election offices nationwide, prompting a federal investigation just three weeks before the midterm elections.
A notice from the Senate Sergeant at Arms, reported by Punchbowl News, told Senate offices Thursday that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police were investigating multiple letters mailed nationwide, “including multiple Congressional offices.” The letters went to both Republican and Democratic senators, in their Washington and home-state offices, Punchbowl reported.
“Law enforcement officials are working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered, however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations,” the notice said.
Staffers were told to treat suspicious mail as “potentially hazardous,” NBC News reported. Only Senate offices appeared to be affected so far, though the House was keeping watch, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.
The FBI said secretary of state offices and their election offices were also targeted.
“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” the bureau said, adding that it is working to identify whoever sent them.
Election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma were evacuated Tuesday after receiving letters containing a powdery white substance, CNN reported. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said the Postal Service intercepted a letter bound for his office. No one has been reported harmed, and authorities have not identified the substance.
The mailings follow similar scares in recent election cycles, including powder-filled envelopes sent to election officials in at least six states weeks before the 2024 presidential election. They also come amid a tense climate for election officials, who have faced threats of fines and prison from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, escalating clashes over mail-in voting and President Donald Trump’s dubious claims about foreign election interference.
In 2001, weeks after the 9/11 attacks, letters laced with anthrax were mailed to two Democratic senators and several news outlets, killing five people.