FBI Investigates Suspicious Mail Sent to US Lawmakers
The FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious letters sent to lawmakers and election officials across multiple states.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service are investigating a national trend of suspicious substances being mailed to lawmakers and election offices. On October 19, several Wisconsin officials received suspicious mail, including U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, Congressman Mark Pocan, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and the Marquette Law School Poll. Senator Johnson noted that the return address on the envelope delivered to his Milwaukee office matched descriptions of letters sent to other offices nationwide.
In Nebraska, Senator Deb Fischer's Omaha office reported an envelope containing a suspicious powder on October 20. This followed similar incidents within the previous week involving Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Senator Pete Ricketts, though authorities determined the substance sent to Ricketts was not dangerous. A similar report was noted involving the Secretary of State of Ohio the week prior.
Emergency responses in Wisconsin included hazmat teams and the fire department, with Congressman Pocan's mail being sent to the State Lab of Hygiene for analysis. In Nebraska, the Omaha Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police assisted in removing the substance from Senator Fischer's office. No injuries have been reported across the incidents, and officials continue to test the substances to identify them and the sender.
