FBI investigating suspicious letters containing unknown substance sent to state election officials
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious letters, some of which contained an unknown substance, sent to election officials nationwide, the agencies confirmed Tuesday.
The Associated Press reported powder-containing packages were sent to secretaries of state and state election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming, citing officials in those states.
“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.”
threats this election season. Election officials from battleground states told CBS News recently that threats are escalating ahead of November.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, told CBS News, “We’re daily receiving threats, whether it’s through voicemails, emails, social media or in person.”
Benson said she personally is receiving threats, “and it’s escalating.”
“They’re all rooted in lies and misinformation, which is always disappointing and sad, but at the same time, it’s real,” she said.
Alexandria Johnson contributed reporting.
Source: cbsnews.com