Mystery Powder and Threatening Letters Lead to FBI Nationwide Alert

After six secretaries of state received threatening letters containing powdered substances, the FBI has issued a nationwide warning to election offices.

At a Glance

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious letters sent to election officials nationwide.
Some letters contained an unknown substance, later found to be flour.
Packages were sent to election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
Authorities stress caution and vigilance due to escalating threats.

FBI Issues Nationwide Warning

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious letters sent to election officials in multiple states. Some of these letters contained an unknown substance, which led to evacuation protocols in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa. Other states targeted include Nebraska, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Although the substances have since been determined harmless, the episodes underscore the heightened climate of caution and vigilance surrounding election offices amidst ongoing threats.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working diligently with their law enforcement partners to identify the number of letters sent, the individuals responsible, and their motives.

Authorities stress the importance of treating all suspicious substances as hazardous. Election officials are urged to remain vigilant in handling mail, especially given the increased threats targeting these institutions.

The FBI is warning election offices to be on the lookout after threatening letters containing suspicious substances were sent to the offices of multiple secretaries of state throughout the country. https://t.co/EibnQmYLg7

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) September 17, 2024

Increasing Threats to Election Officials

Across the country, election offices have reported receiving similar threatening letters containing white powder. These letters, intercepted or received in states such as Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, and more, have escalated concerns among law enforcement and election officials. Oklahoma’s substance was identified as flour, while Tennessee confirmed no hazardous materials were found. However, the incidents necessitated evacuations and extensive safety precautions.

“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to election officials in several states,” the agencies said in statements to CBS News. “Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident and safely collect the letters.”

Federal law enforcement has warned of serious threats to state election administrators, correlating these threats with misinformation and lies surrounding election security. The near-constant barrage of threats, especially during peak election seasons, has led to increased security protocols and heightened vigilance among election officials.

FBI warns state election officials about anonymous threatening letters https://t.co/4soypbPHAr

— Just the News (@JustTheNews) September 17, 2024

Calls for Caution and Action

With early voting for high-stakes elections currently underway, disruptions caused by these incidents are not only inconvenient, but also potentially harmful to the democratic process. This is the second wave of such threats in the past year, previously involving letters with fentanyl, which delayed ballot counting last November.

“This must stop, period,” stated the National Association of Secretaries of State. “Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats or intimidation of any kind.”

Election offices nationwide have increased security measures in response to ongoing threats and harassment since the 2020 election. Authorities continue to investigate these incidents and ensure the safety of election officials and the public. The FBI’s warning is a call to action for all election offices to remain cautious, emphasizing care in mail handling and immediate reporting of suspicious items.