FBI Investigates Suspicious-Substance Letters Sent to Congressional and Election Offices Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (TodayViralUSA) — The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Capitol Police are investigating a wave of letters containing “suspicious substances” mailed to congressional offices and state election offices nationwide, federal authorities said Thursday, less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

A notice from the Senate Sergeant at Arms, obtained by major news outlets and circulated to Senate offices, urged staff to treat the mailings as “potentially hazardous.” Law enforcement said it was working to intercept additional letters, while warning that some may still reach their destinations.

Dozens of letters; election offices also targeted

Law enforcement sources briefed on the matter told NBC News that “dozens of letters” were sent. Preliminary testing of a white powder in some packages indicated the contents were not hazardous, those sources said, though further laboratory testing continues across the country.

The FBI confirmed it is investigating “a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices.” Some letters contained an unknown substance, the bureau said, and agents are working with partners to identify who sent them.

State election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma reported receiving envelopes with mysterious powders this week; Ohio officials said investigators intercepted a package destined for the state, according to NBC News. The incidents come amid heightened concern about threats to election workers ahead of Election Day.

Senate offices among recipients

Offices linked to several Democratic senators were among those targeted, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, according to their spokespeople. In some cases the letters were intercepted by the Postal Service before delivery. A House sergeant-at-arms notice said no House members had been identified as intended recipients, while advising district offices to follow safe mail-handling procedures.

Congress is in recess as lawmakers campaign at home; Capitol Hill staff remain on campus, where mail is routinely screened.

Authorities have not announced arrests or named a suspect. Officials continue to urge anyone who receives unexpected powdery mail to avoid handling it and to contact law enforcement.