FBI And Postal Inspectors Probe Suspicious Powder Letters To Election Officials And Congress
Federal investigators are probing suspicious letters containing unknown powders sent to election offices and congressional addresses, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service said.[1]
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said an Elections Division employee opened a package that contained white powder, which later tested as not harmful.[1] The Oklahoma State Election Board reported an envelope with suspicious white powder prompted an evacuation, and Secretary Paul Ziriax said no one was hurt.[1] The Senate Sergeant at Arms issued a notice to congressional staff saying offices were among the recipients, and Senator Chris Murphy's office confirmed it had been targeted.[1] USPS Inspection Service Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue said federal officials intercepted some letters but declined to specify how many, and he said finding those responsible is a priority.[1]
The agencies publicly confirmed the probe on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after reports of envelopes with unknown substances at state and federal offices nationwide.[1] PBS reported authorities were investigating letters addressed to congressional and election offices and coordinating with local law enforcement as tests were run on recovered material.[2]
Officials said so far no injuries have been reported and investigators are focused on identifying senders and any broader public risk.[1] Federal authorities declined to specify how many letters were intercepted or released additional details as the joint inquiry continues.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service publicly confirmed they are jointly investigating "suspicious mailings" with unknown substances sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretary of state and related election offices (FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service).
- The Senate Sergeant at Arms notified congressional staff that congressional offices were among the recipients of the suspicious letters, and Sen. Chris Murphy's office confirmed it was targeted.
- Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry reported that on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, an Elections Division employee opened a package containing white powder that later tested as not harmful.
- The Oklahoma State Election Board said it received an envelope with suspicious white powder on Tuesday morning, prompting an evacuation; Secretary Paul Ziriax said no one was hurt and law enforcement is investigating.
- USPS Inspection Service Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue said federal officials have intercepted some letters, declined to specify the total number, and emphasized that identifying those responsible is a priority.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service publicly confirmed they are jointly investigating 'suspicious mailings' with unknown substances sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretary of state and related election offices.
- The Senate Sergeant at Arms issued a notice to congressional staff stating that congressional offices were among the recipients of the suspicious letters, and Sen. Chris Murphy's office confirmed it was targeted.
- Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry reported that on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, an employee in her Elections Division opened a package containing white powder that tests later showed was not harmful.
- The Oklahoma State Election Board said it received an envelope with suspicious white powder on Tuesday morning, prompting an evacuation of its office; Secretary Paul Ziriax said no one was hurt and law enforcement is investigating.
- USPS Inspection Service Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue said federal officials have intercepted some letters, declined to specify the total number, and emphasized that identifying those responsible is a priority.