The FBI is probing suspicious white powder letters mailed to Democratic senators and election offices nationwide, with agents racing to intercept more before delivery.
Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., learned Thursday that their offices had been targeted by mail containing suspicious substances, Fox News Digital reported.
Federal investigators say the mailings form part of a broader series sent to addresses across the country, including multiple congressional offices plus Secretary of State offices and related election offices. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to identify who is responsible while law enforcement tries to stop any remaining letters from reaching their destinations.
Murphy’s office was alerted by the FBI, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and U.S. Capitol Police. Spokesperson Josh Sorbe said the senator and staff faced no immediate danger thanks to existing safety protocols.
"Our office was promptly informed of the letter by FBI, SAA, and Capitol Police, and we continue to work closely with them and federal law enforcement. Due to those efforts and various safety protocols, the Senator and staff were not in immediate danger. Our office is grateful for the investigators involved in this incident, and we intend to continue close coordination as the investigation continues."
Padilla’s office received a similar FBI notification. A spokesperson said the letter meant for one of his offices was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service before it could arrive.
"We received the notification from the FBI that one of our offices was mailed a letter containing a suspicious substance, but it was intercepted by USPS."
Both the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms issued alerts to top staff on Thursday. The Senate notice made clear that interception efforts were underway but imperfect.
"Law enforcement officials are working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered, however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations."
The same notice reminded offices that all suspicious letters, packages, or substances should be treated as potentially hazardous. It also included an image of one envelope showing a return address for the Democratic Socialists of America’s headquarters in New York City.
A DSA representative later stated the group “has not occupied this office address since 2013” and is “no longer headquartered at 75 Maiden Lane.” Fox News Digital reached out to the organization and received no further reply at the time of publication. Any connection between the group and the mailings remains unclear.
On the House side, the Sergeant at Arms told top staff the office had “been made aware of reports of letters containing suspicious white powder substances received by public officials throughout the United States.”
"Although no House Members have been identified as intended recipients at this time, the SAA continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with law enforcement partners. All offices are reminded to remain vigilant and follow safe mail handling procedures to help protect staff from potentially harmful materials."
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the scope reaches well beyond Capitol Hill.
"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 and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens."
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement underscoring the stakes for the people who run elections.
"Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties. 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."
Congressional mail no longer arrives directly at offices on the Hill. After the October 15, 2001, anthrax letter opened by a staffer in then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s office, packages and letters are processed off-site, screened, and irradiated before delivery. Those protocols are the reason Murphy’s team could report no immediate danger even after the FBI warning.
Exact composition of the powder or other substances in the current letters has not been publicly identified. No injuries, exposures, or arrests have been announced. Investigators continue to treat every suspicious mailing as potentially hazardous while they track the remaining pieces still moving through the postal system.
Threatening senators and the officials who administer elections is a direct attack on the basic machinery of self-government, and federal agents are right to treat every one of these letters as the serious crime it is.
