FILE - A sign reading Department of Justice is displayed at the FBI field office, in Portland, Ore., Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
- The FBI is investigating letters with suspicious substances sent to election and congressional offices across the U.S.
Election and congressional offices nationwide have been alerted by the FBI of letters with suspicious substances.
Federal law enforcement has advised the offices to treat the letters as “potentially hazardous.”
A spokesperson with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office told Magnolia Tribune Thursday morning that based on events in other states, they were notified to expect a suspicious letter.
“But it was intercepted by the [U.S. Postal Service] and [Homeland Security Investigations] before it got to our office,” said Elizabeth Jonson, Assistant Secretary of State for Communications & Publications. “It has now been turned over to the FBI.”
The investigation into the letters by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Capitol Police was first disclosed in a message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.
“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” a statement from the FBI read. “We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”
The AP further reported that mailed packages containing a powdery substance led to the evacuation this week of election offices in at least two states, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) issue a joint statement in response to reports of the suspicious letters sent to state election offices expressing deep concern.
“As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy. Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties,” the joint statement read. “Election officials take these matters seriously and work closely with law enforcement and security partners to protect their personnel and facilities. We have security measures and contingency plans in place to respond to potential threats and emergencies while maintaining essential election operations.”
The two organizations added that safe and secure elections are a shared responsibility.
“All Americans play a role in supporting the dedicated public servants who administer our elections and ensuring voters can participate safely and confidently,” the statement concluded.
The AP noted that news of the suspicious letters comes just three weeks before Election Day “and is reminiscent of a similar threat in 2023, when election offices in six states received mailings that contained a white powder. In some cases, the incidents disrupted work around local elections. Some of those letters contained threats and traces of the powerful opioid fentanyl, leading some election offices to stock up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone.”
