Subramanyam's Leesburg office receives suspicious white powder in mail

FBI, Capitol Police investigate powder mailings to both parties’ officials

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., confirmed Monday that his office in Leesburg received an envelope containing a suspicious white powder, the latest in a string of similar mailings to lawmakers and election officials across the United States in recent weeks.

The envelopes have reached lawmakers of both major parties and election officials in multiple states, prompting an office evacuation and a federal investigation. Recipients, including Subramanyam, have described the mailings as political intimidation.

Subramanyam wrote on social media Monday afternoon: “I can confirm that my office in Leesburg received an envelope containing a suspicious substance.” He said the office was promptly evacuated and thanked the Leesburg Police, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue’s hazmat team and the Capitol Police for their swift response.

“These acts of political intimidation have no place in our country,” he wrote.

Other lawmakers who have reported such incidents include Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Eugene Vindman, D-Va., and Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Rounds, R-S.D., among others of both major parties.

Moulton said the letter had the name and the New York City return address of the Democratic Socialists of America. DSA spokesperson Priscilla Yeverino said in a statement that the group is not involved in the letters in any way. “We are glad that no one was harmed,” she said.

Schiff said Sunday that at least one envelope containing a suspicious substance was sent to his offices in California and was intercepted by U.S. Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms. “This attempt to intimidate elected officials and our staff will not succeed,” Schiff said. “We instead condemn these threats as antithetical to the values of our nation, recommit to our work and thank the law enforcement and postal officials who are helping keep our teams safe.”

The incidents apparently started Tuesday, when Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry and the Oklahoma State Election Board reported receiving envelopes with a similar white powder. The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Capitol Police, FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating.