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FBI probes 'white powder' mailings to election offices and senators across 15 states as midterms approach

Letters with unknown substances were mailed to congressional and Secretary of State election offices across multiple US states three weeks before Election Day, triggering a joint FBI and Capitol Police investigation.
Letters with unknown substances were mailed to congressional and Secretary of State election offices across multiple US states three weeks before Election Day, triggering a joint FBI and Capitol Police investigation.

Republican senators Ted Cruz and Susan Collins have emerged as the latest recipients in a broadening series of suspicious mailings, joining Democratic senators Chuck Schumer, Alex Padilla and Chris Murphy on the list of targets. The FBI, US Postal Inspection Service and US Capitol Police are conducting a joint investigation into letters carrying an unidentified white powder that were dispatched to congressional offices and state election officials in at least 15 states, with the midterms only weeks away. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon confirmed that his office intercepted a letter containing both powder and threats on Friday, even as early in-person voting was already under way. Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta's Santa Cruz office was also targeted when a staffer unsealed an envelope postmarked from New York that bore an address formerly associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Election offices in Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and ten other states have received letters, though authorities caution that some may not have been intercepted before delivery.

Simon said "threats against election workers are unacceptable", while Panetta vowed "these attempts to intimidate us will not deter us from doing our job."

Preliminary testing by law enforcement sources suggests the substance is NOT dangerous, but no official confirmation has been issued.

MoreThe IndependentFBI investigates mystery white powder sent to Democratic senators and election officials weeks before midtermsNY PostGOP Sens. Ted Cruz, Susan Collins join growing list of targets of suspicious ‘white powder’ mailingsNY PostCalifornia congressman mailed envelope with ‘suspicious powder’ as FBI probes letters with DSA-linked addressThe HillMore lawmakers report suspicious packages at officesCBS NewsLetter with white powder sent to Minnesota election office as ballots are being castNewsweekMap Shows Where Suspicious Packages Sent to Lawmakers, Officials Across US
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