FBI investigates suspicious mailings to election and congressional offices
Federal authorities are investigating letters containing unknown substances as election offices in three states report suspicious packages and Senate offices are alerted.
The FBI and U.S. Postal Service are investigating suspicious mailings to election and congressional offices across the United States, the Associated Press and NBC News reported on October 15. Election officials in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Ohio have reported recent incidents, while the Senate has been alerted. Authorities have not identified the substance in some of the letters, leaving the extent of any hazard unclear.
What officials have said about the mailings
In a statement quoted by NBC News, the FBI said it and the Postal Service were investigating mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including state secretary and related election offices. Some letters contained an unknown substance, the bureau said, and investigators were working to identify those responsible. The FBI declined to confirm specific incidents or locations to NBC.
The Associated Press reported that federal authorities urged recipients to treat the letters as potentially hazardous. The Senate learned of the situation through a message from its Sergeant at Arms obtained by AP. Congressional reports appeared limited to the Senate, AP said; an unnamed person familiar with the matter said the House was monitoring the situation.
Incidents reported in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Ohio
NBC News reported that Oklahoma and Louisiana received packages containing suspicious powder. In Louisiana, an Election Division employee opened a package containing white powder and went to an emergency room as a precaution, uninjured, according to a state spokesperson. The spokesperson told NBC that law enforcement found no evidence of harmful substances in that package.
In Ohio, the U.S. Postal Service intercepted a package addressed to the secretary of state's office, NBC reported. Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was working with state and federal law enforcement. Oklahoma's election board secretary said its incident had not affected the state's ability to conduct elections. AP reported that powder-containing packages prompted evacuations at election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma this week.
Earlier mailings to election offices
Election offices have faced similar mailings before. AP reported that several offices received envelopes containing fentanyl in 2023, while NBC reported that letters with suspicious powders targeted at least 20 states in 2024. Those earlier incidents provide context for the precautions around the current mailings; the substances in the present investigation have not been identified across all locations.
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement condemning threats against election staff, according to AP and NBC News. Their response comes as officials handle the suspicious packages while preparing to keep election operations running.
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Sources and context
- Authorities investigate letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to congressional, election officesThe Associated Press (republished by ABC News)
- Suspicious white powder sent to election offices in 3 statesNBC News
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.