Federal authorities are investigating letters containing “suspicious substances” sent to congressional and state election offices across the United States. The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are tracing these “suspicious mailings,” with some intercepted before delivery.
While officials did not disclose how many offices were targeted, multiple state secretaries and congressional offices have reported receiving the letters.
This incident comes just weeks before the US midterm elections, recalling previous security concerns linked to suspicious mail. The agencies stated they are committed to ensuring public safety and securing elections for American citizens.
In Delaware, the Department of Elections opened a letter containing a white powdery substance on Thursday, with staff adhering to security protocols for handling such mail. Similarly, the Oklahoma State Election Board and Louisiana’s Secretary of State reported receiving letters with white powder.
The Louisiana office had to evacuate after a staff member opened one of these packages on Tuesday, but reopened later when law enforcement confirmed no harmful substances were present. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reported that his office was the intended recipient of a letter containing white powder, which was intercepted by the USPIS. Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut also had a letter with a suspicious substance sent to him, but it was intercepted before it reached his office.
The New York State Capitol in Albany and Wyoming’s State Capitol in Cheyenne also received suspicious packages. With election day fast approaching, the timing of these mailings raises concerns about the upcoming vote, which will influence Congress’s balance of power. Last year, similar envelopes, some containing fentanyl, were sent to election offices in five states.
