Politics
BREAKING: FBI Investigating Potential Terror Plot Against Congressional Offices
The FBI is investigating suspicious letters sent to offices across the country, including on Capitol Hill, as authorities race to intercept mail containing unknown substances ahead of the midterm elections.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported Thursday that the bureau confirmed the investigation. Congressional staffers also received warnings about the mailings, expanding a scare that has already reached state election offices.
“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. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens,” an FBI spokesperson said in the statement shared by Melugin.
Capitol Police have joined the FBI and postal inspectors in investigating letters sent to multiple congressional offices, according to a Thursday staff alert obtained by Bloomberg Government. Authorities were working to intercept additional mailings, and staffers were instructed to report suspicious activity promptly.
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A warning distributed on Capitol Hill included a photograph of an envelope bearing the initials DSA and a return address matching a Manhattan building previously listed on Democratic Socialists of America membership forms, the New York Post reported.
The address does not establish who sent the letter or whether the organization was involved.
The Capitol Hill warnings followed reports of suspicious mail targeting election officials in several states, with less than three weeks remaining before the Nov. 3 elections.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose disclosed Wednesday that postal investigators had intercepted a letter containing white powder before it reached his office. He said the FBI was investigating the Ohio incident and that county election boards had been alerted to remain vigilant.
LaRose’s office said election security procedures and contingency plans were in place and assured voters that the state’s election process remained secure.
In Louisiana and Oklahoma, officials reported receiving suspicious letters Tuesday and evacuated election offices while authorities responded, CNN reported. No injuries were reported in those incidents or the Ohio case.
The FBI had acknowledged the nationwide investigation Wednesday night. Its statement shared by Melugin did not identify the substances, name a suspect or specify a motive.
