Suspicious letters, many containing white powder, have reached congressional lawmakers and election offices in at least 32 states.
The big picture: More than three dozen Democratic and Republican lawmakers have been targeted alongside election offices nationwide. Law enforcement sources estimated that more than 100 letters were circulating around the country.
- Rep. Adam Smith's district office evacuated after receiving a powdery letter Monday. Staff returned Tuesday, and preliminary tests of powder from the wider series have found no hazardous material.
- "The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide," an FBI spokesperson told Axios.
Zoom in: Authorities intercepted letters headed to offices in Ohio, Minnesota and Connecticut. Deliveries in Oklahoma, Arizona and Delaware triggered evacuations, while the Capitol Police and congressional security officials warned offices to stay vigilant.
The other side: Some letters claimed to come from the Democratic Socialists of America, which denied involvement. They used a New York City return address the group says it has not occupied since 2013.
What's next: The FBI is trying to identify the sender or senders and has not said whether the incidents are linked. Election offices will continue screening mail as voting activity accelerates ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Why it matters: Even a harmless powder can shut an office, pull staff from election work and create fear. The campaign is already consuming law enforcement time and disrupting public offices at the moment they are preparing to process votes.
