FBI investigating after letters with 'suspicious substances' are sent to congressional and election offices

The FBI and Postal Service are investigating letters containing “suspicious substances” that were sent to congressional and election offices across the United States.Authorities are urging recipients to treat the letters as “potentially hazardous” as they work to intercept the letters and investigate the substance. A notice sent to Senate offices said that “it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations.”“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement.“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”Federal authorities are investigating letters with ‘suspicious substances’ that have been mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide (Getty Images)In Congress, the situation appeared isolated to the Senate, but the House was monitoring, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.Meanwhile, packages containing a powdery substance triggered the evacuation of election offices in at least two states, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Postal Service intercepted a package containing a white powder intended for the Ohio secretary of state, who said similar parcels were sent to election officials in multiple states.The warning over the suspicious letters comes three weeks before Election Day. A similar threat caused alarm in 2023, when election offices in six states were sent envelopes containing a white powder. Some of the letters contained threats and traces of the powerful opioid fentanyl, which led some election offices to stock up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone.The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a statement condemning the letters sent this week, which they said were threats against election staff.“Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties,” they wrote.Deputy Postal Inspector Brendan Donahue said 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.”