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Suspicious powder mailings to U.S. election offices and Congress

The ongoing federal investigation into suspicious envelopes containing white powder or unknown substances sent to state election offices and congressional offices, including additional reports, intercepted packages and evidence connected to the mailings.

Powder envelopes target over three dozen Congress offices ahead of midterms

Illustration accompanying article: Powder envelopes target over three dozen Congress offices ahead of midterms
  • More than three dozen members of Congress have had their offices targeted with envelopes containing white powder less than three weeks before the 3 November midterm elections.
  • The FBI, the US Capitol Police, and the US Postal Inspection Service are jointly investigating the letters, and law enforcement sources told ABC News that more than 100 letters thought to contain white powder are circulating in the US mail system.
  • Targets span both parties and both chambers and have included senators Chuck Schumer, Alex Padilla, Chris Murphy, Mike Rounds, Pete Ricketts, and Ted Cruz, and representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Ritchie Torres, Tom Suozzi, Jimmy Panetta, and Seth Moulton.
  • The FBI says recovered envelopes were processed through a north Texas mail processing center and carry a postmark or stamp reading "Thinking of You"; the vast majority were intercepted before delivery.
  • Election offices in at least 15 states have also reported receiving or being targeted by suspicious mail, according to the Tampa Free Press, which cited federal authorities.
 2026-10-19 · 3 MIN READ

Senate Sergeant at Arms image shows 'DSA' return address on election mailings

Illustration accompanying article: Senate Sergeant at Arms image shows 'DSA' return address on election mailings
  • A communication from the Senate Sergeant at Arms to congressional staff, obtained by NPR, included an image of one of the suspicious mailings showing a return address labeled "DSA" and a New York City return address.
  • The SAA directed staff not to handle suspicious letters and to leave the area where they are discovered, and said all suspicious letters, packages or substances "should be treated as potentially hazardous and handled in accordance with established safety protocols."
  • The SAA note identified three indicators of the suspect mail: discoloration, powder emanating from the envelope, and postmarks that do not match the return address.
  • The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted at least one of the mailings, Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue said.
  • The FBI said it is "working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters."
 2026-10-15 · 4 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: FBI investigates suspicious powder mailed to election officials in three