Federal authorities are scrutinizing suspicious mail sent to congressional offices and state election officials just under three weeks before Election Day. Both the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are involved in the investigation, focusing on mail sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretaries of state and related election offices. The FBI noted that some letters contained an unidentified substance, and investigators are attempting to determine the sender’s identity.
Reports indicate that election offices in at least 15 states received suspicious packages, according to NBC News. These states are Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, not all packages necessarily reached their intended destinations, as some were intercepted before delivery. Newsweek has reached out to the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Capitol Police for further comments.
Some Mail Was Intercepted Before Delivery
The Senate Sergeant at Arms, responsible for the upper chamber’s law enforcement and protocol, alerted Senate offices that law enforcement was actively working to intercept additional mailings, although some might still be delivered. The ongoing investigation involves the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Capitol Police.
Notably targeted were several senators’ offices, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Alex Padilla of California, as reported by The Washington Post. It remains unclear if these mailings to congressional offices are linked to those sent to state officials. Capitol Police intercepted at least one suspicious letter addressed to Democratic Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, while Alex Padilla confirmed the Postal Service intercepted a package before reaching his office.
Authorities Continue Testing White Powder
According to three law enforcement sources briefed by NBC News, preliminary tests on the white powder found in these mailings showed it was not hazardous. However, further testing continues in law enforcement laboratories. The initial results do not clear every mailing, as the FBI identifies the substance in some letters as unknown. The Senate Sergeant at Arms advised treating suspicious mail as potentially hazardous.
“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance, and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” stated the FBI. “We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”
Packages containing a powdery substance led to evacuations at election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Officials in Wisconsin confirmed that tests on a powdery substance found in a letter sent to their office indicated it was not hazardous. “Let this be very clear: This incident will not shake us,” declared Wisconsin elections administrator Meagan Wolfe.
Newsweek has contacted the offices of Schumer and the Louisiana Secretary of State for additional comments.
USPS Prepares for Ballot Volume
These mailings coincide with the U.S. Postal Service’s preparations to manage millions of ballots for the November 3 midterm elections. Postmaster General David Steiner assured that the agency is equipped to handle the ballot volume. USPS has implemented new measures, such as extended hours at some locations, expedited handling, extra deliveries, and special ballot pickups.
Authorities have stated that the suspicious mail targeted public officials and election offices. There is no indication that voters’ ballots were aimed at or that the preparation for ballot delivery is linked to this investigation.
For comments on this story, Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Shakeema Edwards can be contacted.
Leave a Reply