In brief
Authorities are probing a fleet of letters marked with potentially hazardous substances that arrived at congressional and state election offices just weeks before the U.S. midterm vote. The FBI and Postal Inspection Service say they have intercepted many of the packages and are tracing the senders. The threat echoes previous incidents from last year involving fentanyl and other dangerous materials. Officials in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Connecticut, New York and Wyoming have filed reports, and in some states offices were temporarily evacuated. The investigation comes at a pivotal moment as control of Congress hangs in the balance.
On Thursday, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced an investigation into a series of mailings that may contain hazardous substances and were sent to election offices across the country. Both agencies report that they have intercepted further letters and are working to trace the source of the threat.
Sources say that the retaliation comes a few weeks before the midterm elections, echoing earlier security scares that involved suspicious envelopes laced with fentanyl in 2025. Officials in several states—including Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio and Connecticut—have confirmed receipt of the mail and are cooperating with the investigation. In Louisiana, the office was temporarily evacuated after a staff member opened a sealed package, but law enforcement later found no harmful substance.
The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service spokespersons emphasised that they are committed to safeguarding the public and protecting election integrity. "We will continue to secure elections for American citizens," they said in a statement.
Other affected offices include the New York State Capitol in Albany and the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne, according to emergency responder scanner feeds reviewed by the BBC. These incidents add to a list of suspicious packages that have reached election officials in 17 states over the past year.
The investigation highlights the heightened risk of threats in the run‑up to the 2024 elections and underscores the importance of rigorous security protocols across all election venues. Stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant and report any potential threats immediately to law‑enforcement authorities.
