US agencies probe suspicious mail sent to political and election offices
Federal agencies are investigating suspicious letters sent to congressional and election offices across the United States. Recipients have been told to treat any unknown substance as potentially hazardous, and officials are working to intercept further mail as Election Day approaches.
Several senators’ offices reported receiving suspicious letters, while postal inspectors intercepted mail addressed to Senators Alex Padilla and Kirsten Gillibrand. Election offices in multiple states also reported letters or intercepted packages; Wisconsin officials said tests found the powder in a received letter was not hazardous. The incidents follow powder-filled mailings to election offices in six states in 2023, some of which disrupted local election work.
- Federal agencies are investigating suspicious mail sent to political offices.
- Some Senate offices and election officials reported letters or intercepted packages.
- Wisconsin said tests found the powder in its letter was not hazardous.
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US congressional offices represent people in the Senate and House of Representatives, while state and local election offices organise voting and count ballots. Both handle large volumes of post, and suspicious mail can require staff to follow safety procedures while officials check what it contains.
The US Postal Inspection Service investigates crimes involving the mail, and federal agencies may help assess possible health or security risks. Election offices operate under state and local authorities, so responses can vary across the country.
Similar powder-filled letters sent to election offices in several states in 2023 disrupted some local work, though tests found some substances harmless. Such incidents matter because they can interrupt the routine work of public offices and require precautions around election administration.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Feds investigating after letters with ‘potentially hazardous’ substance sent to political offices across country”.