Suspicious letters investigation prompts FBI warning for Senate and election offices nationwide

US federal agencies are probing a wave of letters sent to election and congressional offices across the country. Some mailings held an unknown substance, and officials warned recipients to treat them as hazardous. The FBI, the US Postal Inspection Service and the US Capitol Police are involved, and efforts are under way to stop further deliveries.

Representative image

Authorities said the suspicious letters went to several types of government addresses nationwide. These included Secretary of State offices and election offices linked to them. Investigators said some envelopes carried a powder-like material. Officials also said they were trying to find whoever sent the mailings and respond to each reported incident.

Suspicious mailings investigation targets election offices

Mail items with a powdery substance forced evacuations at election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma this week. In Ohio, the secretary of state said the Postal Service stopped a package with white powder meant for the office. The Ohio official also reported that election workers in multiple states received similar mail.

Maryland, Mississippi and South Dakota said on Thursday that separate mailings also targeted their election offices. Those states reported the Postal Service intercepted the letters before delivery. Officials did not identify what the substance was. The incidents were reported as investigators assessed how wide the mailing campaign was.

Suspicious mailings investigation includes Senate offices

A message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms, obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, first revealed the inquiry. The notice, sent to Senate offices, said police were trying to intercept more letters. It also warned that some items could still reach intended locations despite those efforts.

In Congress, the issue appeared to involve the Senate rather than the House. A person familiar with the matter said the House was still watching the situation. The person was not authorised to speak publicly about the investigation. Officials did not describe any House offices as confirmed recipients.

Suspicious mailings investigation echoes 2023 white powder letters

The reports come three weeks before Election Day and bring back memories of a 2023 episode. That year, election offices in six states received letters containing white powder. Some incidents disrupted daily work tied to local elections. Some letters also included threats and traces of the opioid fentanyl.

After the 2023 mailings, some election offices stocked naloxone, used to reverse overdoses. Two national groups later criticised the threats against election staff. "Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties, they said in their statement.\"

Federal investigators said they are coordinating their response across agencies and locations. The FBI said it was examining a series of suspicious mailings sent nationwide. Deputy Postal Inspector Brendan Donahue told reporters Thursday that any threat or attack on election officials is unacceptable and that we are also working with our partners on identifying the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.

With inputs from PTI