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[POLITICS] · United States · 18 sources

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Part of situation: Federal probe into suspicious mailings to election offices (6 clusters)

US Lawmakers and Election Offices Targeted by Suspicious Mailings

suspicious mailings white powder congressional threats election security FBI investigation

Federal authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are investigating a nationwide wave of suspicious mailings containing unknown white powders. The letters have targeted more than three dozen members of Congress and election officials in at least 32 states, occurring less than three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum have reported incidents, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Ron Johnson, and Tammy Baldwin, as well as Representatives Adam Smith, Jan Schakowsky, and Suhas Subramanyam. In Illinois, Rep. Schakowsky and Rep. Mike Quigley both reported receiving second suspicious packages within a week. In Colorado, five Democratic members of the congressional delegation reported receiving letters, including Rep. Joe Neguse and Sen. John Hickenlooper.

While some offices, such as Rep. Subramanyam’s, were evacuated as a precaution, preliminary tests have not confirmed the substances to be hazardous. Law enforcement sources suggest that over 100 such letters may be circulating in the U.S. mail system. Some letters reportedly contained references to an impending civil war, and some envelopes featured markings associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, though the organization has denied any involvement.

Entities

Adam Smith · Chuck Schumer · Democratic Socialists of America · FBI · Federal Bureau of Investigation · Jason Crow · National Association of Secretaries of State · Tobias Read · U.S. Congress · U.S. Postal Inspection Service · United States · United States Congress

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

5 members of Colorado’s congressional delegation report suspicious letters [www.durangoherald.com]
Over three dozen Congress members’ offices targeted with white powder envelopes | US Congress [www.europesays.com]
More Wisconsin lawmakers receive ‘suspicious’ substances by mail - KFIZ News-Talk 1450 AM [kfiz.com]
Adam Smith’s Kent office receives letter with ‘powdery substance’ [www.kirklandreporter.com]
Suspicious letters sent to Mississippi Secretary of State intercepted, turned over to FBI [meridianstar.com]
Rep. Adam Smith joins list of lawmakers who received letter with ‘suspicious substance’ - Mid-Utah Radio [midutahradio.com]
Colorado Democrats among politicians that received ‘suspicious mail’ containing white substance [www.steamboatpilot.com]
Powder mailed to Arizona officials reflects surge in political threats [cronkitenews.azpbs.org]
Second suspicious letter to Schakowsky's office prompts hazmat, FBI response [evanstonroundtable.com]
Adam Smith’s Kent office receives letter with ‘powdery substance’ [www.rentonreporter.com]
Adam Smith’s Kent office receives letter with ‘powdery substance’ [www.seattleweekly.com]
Rep. Jason Crow, Colorado Dem lawmakers receive 'suspicious substance' mail [sentinelcolorado.com]
Colorado Democrats among politicians that received ‘suspicious mail’ containing white substance [www.summitdaily.com]
USPS intercepts suspicious envelope address to Rep. Donald Norcross' office [6abc.com]
2 Chicago area members of Congress again received 'suspicious' packages [chicago.suntimes.com]
Feds intercept ‘suspicious’ package intended for Oregon election office [eastoregonian.com]
Security official warns of more suspicious letters to lawmakers [www.troyrecord.com]
Election Offices in at Least 32 States Have Received Suspicious Letters [www.wired.com]