White powder letters scare hits lawmakers and election offices nationwide
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Over three dozen congressional lawmakers and election offices in at least 32 states have been targeted with suspicious letters, many containing a white powder.
Why it matters: The letters have forced evacuations and disrupted election offices just weeks before the 2026 midterms, raising concerns about political intimidation.
Driving the news: Rep. Adam Smith's (D-Wash.) district office received a letter Monday, prompting staff to evacuate.
- In an emailed statement, Smith's office confirmed it "received a suspicious letter containing a powdery substance, like others sent to Congressional offices across the country."
- Staff returned to the office Tuesday.
What they're saying: "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, and Congressional offices," an FBI spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
- "Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident."
Catch up quick: The U.S. Capitol Police, the House and Senate sergeants at arms and other officials sent notices to congressional offices last week warning about letters containing suspicious substances and urging staffers to be vigilant.
- Over 100 letters were estimated to be circulating around the country, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
- The USCP referred Axios to the FBI for comment.
Here's what we know about the suspicious letters:
Who was targeted
At least three dozen lawmakers have been targeted with the letters, including both Democrats and Republicans.
- That includes prominent leaders such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
Election offices in at least 32 states were targeted with similarly suspicious letters, according to WIRED.
- Authorities intercepted many of the letters, including those addressed to election offices in Ohio, Minnesota and Connecticut. But in places like Oklahoma, Arizona and Delaware, the letters arrived and prompted evacuations.
What's inside
Many letters contained a white powder-like substance.
- So far, preliminary testing of the powder has found no hazardous materials.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) also reported receiving suspicious letters but did not disclose their contents.
- Nebraska officials received a letter that they didn't open and instead turned over to the FBI for further analysis.
Flashback: The Capitol Police's notice went out on the 25th anniversary of the anthrax attacks that terrified Capitol Hill in the wake of 9/11.
- On Oct. 15, 2001, a staffer opened an anthrax-laced letter in then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office, forcing the Hart Senate Office Building to close for months.
- Anthrax attacks killed five people that year.
Where are they coming from
Law enforcement has not yet determined where the letters are coming from or if they're part of a coordinated attack.
- The FBI declined to say if the letters are linked, nor are they confirming "specific instances or letters."
- However, the bureau told Axios in an emailed statement it is working to identify whoever sent the letters.
Worth noting: Some of the letters claimed to come from the Democratic Socialists of America, the left-wing insurgent organization that denies any involvement.
- Some letters bore a New York City return address that DSA previously used but has not occupied since 2013, a spokesperson said.
- DSA did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
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