Letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to US election offices
A number of states have confirmed they were targeted by the mailings, including Oklahoma, Ohio and Louisiana.
Federal authorities are probing letters containing potentially hazardous substances that have been sent to congressional and state election offices across the United States. The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are attempting to trace the suspicious mailings, some of which have been intercepted before delivery. While the exact number of targeted offices remains undisclosed, several secretaries of state and congressional offices have reported receiving the letters.
This incident, which occurs weeks before the US midterm elections, mirrors earlier security concerns involving suspicious mail. In a statement released on Thursday, the FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the public and ensuring the security of elections for American citizens.
The Oklahoma State Election Board and the Louisiana secretary of state both disclosed that their offices received letters containing a white powder. The Louisiana office was evacuated following a staff member's opening of the package on Tuesday; however, it has since reopened following law enforcement's confirmation of the absence of harmful substances.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reported that his office was the intended recipient of a letter containing white powder, but the package was intercepted by the USPIS. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, also received a letter with a suspicious substance, though it was intercepted prior to reaching his office, according to his spokesman.
The New York State Capitol in Albany and the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne were among other locations that received suspicious packages, as reported by emergency responder scanner feeds reviewed by the BBC.
These suspicious mailings have emerged just weeks before the election, which will determine the balance of power in Congress. In preparation for the 2024 election, officials in 17 states received suspicious packages. A year ago, suspicious envelopes, some laced with fentanyl, were dispatched to election offices in at least five states.
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