Marylawmakers, Election Office Get White Powder Letters
FBI and postal inspectors probe suspicious mailings to state officials and Congress members ahead of midterms.
By Chloe Zhao ·
Nearly every member of Maryland’s congressional delegation and the state’s elections office received threatening letters containing a white powder. Federal investigators later determined the substance was nontoxic.
The mailings are part of a nationwide trend targeting lawmakers and election officials weeks before the Nov. 3 elections. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are jointly investigating the incident. Reports of similar suspicious mail first surfaced in Louisiana and Oklahoma before spreading to other states.
Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis confirmed his office received a suspicious letter. Law enforcement intercepted the package during heightened mail screening procedures. Both U.S. senators and at least five of the state’s eight House members said they received similar mail.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume found a letter at his Baltimore office and requested a briefing from postal inspectors. Rep. Johnny Olszewski’s staff isolated a suspicious letter before contacting authorities. Rep. Steny Hoyer reported receiving a letter at his Greenbelt district office.
Rep. Andy Harris’ office said it did not receive a letter. Other congressional offices either declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries. Federal investigators have not identified the sender or the motive behind the mailings. Authorities have not publicly named the specific substance in the letters.
DeMarinis stated the threats would not stop election officials from carrying out their duties. He said Marylanders can safely participate in the upcoming election.
Source: WOLB
