U.S. senators and election offices across the country have received mail containing an unidentified substance, prompting a full investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies.
According to reports from The Washington Post and the Associated Press on October 15, federal authorities are examining letters sent to congressional and election offices nationwide that contain the 'suspicious substance.' Recipients have been strongly advised to treat the mail as containing 'potentially hazardous material.'
The Senate Sergeant at Arms notified offices that the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) have formed a joint task force to investigate the related mail and to block any additional suspicious deliveries.
However, the Senate Sergeant at Arms warned staff in an email that 'some mail may bypass screening and be delivered to its destination,' urging them to exercise caution with any packages or letters that appear unusual. While the investigation is currently focused on the Senate, the House of Representatives is also monitoring the situation.
Key targets of the suspicious mail include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators Chris Murphy, Alex Padilla, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Kirsten Gillibrand, all of whom are primarily Democrats.
The suspicious mail has been sent not only to Congress but also to state election authorities across the country. This week alone, similar mail has been delivered or intercepted at election offices in Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Delaware, and Wisconsin.
Some letters reportedly contained white powder along with threatening language commonly used by conspiracy theorists. Authorities stated, 'So far, preliminary analysis suggests that the substance is not harmful, but until the composition is confirmed, it is classified as an 'unknown substance' and investigations will continue.' However, a clear organizational link between the mail sent to Congress and that sent to state election authorities has not yet been established.
Concerns about threats and violence targeting major political figures and election officials have been rising in the U.S. According to Capitol Police data, threats against lawmakers, their staff, and families have increased for three consecutive years through last year. Additionally, a survey conducted this year by Princeton University and the nonprofit CivicPulse found that 17% of local elected officials reported receiving threats in the first quarter of this year, while 39% reported being harassed, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures for election officials and public servants.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.