The FBI has warned election bureaus to be careful after threatening letters containing suspicious items were sent to the offices of several secretaries of state across the country.
A senior law enforcement official confirmed that election officials in at least six states received the packages on Monday, but said so far none of the packages contained actual hazardous material.
In Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Wyoming and Oklahoma, secretaries of state, attorney general offices and state election offices were targeted. On the return address, the sender was identified as “USTEA” – “U.S. Treasonous Screening Army”.
The Kansas secretary of state’s office was evacuated Monday, as were offices in Iowa and Oklahoma.
“We are working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the person or persons responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters,” the FBI said in a statement. , safety is our top priority.”
In a joint memo obtained by NBC News on Monday, the FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service said, “Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to intercept any additional mail before it is delivered.”
“The voting public should be vigilant and use caution when handling the mail,” the memo said. “All suspected substances should be considered potentially hazardous and handled according to established safety protocols.”
No injuries were reported and the substances were found to be harmless after testing, but the envelopes caused the evacuation of some offices, including Memorial Hall in Topeka, Kansas.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, “the unopened envelope has been isolated in a separate area at our office in accordance with established protocols,” the secretary of state said in a statement.
Those protocols included a multi-agency response involving the Nebraska State Patrol, Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
“During the investigation, the authorities found a tested and non-hazardous substance in the envelope,” the report said.
“Thanks to the quick actions taken by our staff members, law enforcement and other first responders, the situation was resolved quickly and safely,” said Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen.
Secretary of State of Wyoming On Monday, he confirmed that he had received a “white substance in the mail”. “We take this very seriously,” Secretary of State Chuck Gray said. “We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies in monitoring this situation.”
The Oklahoma State Board of Elections said in a statement that it received “a multi-page document in the mail and a suspicious envelope containing a white, powdery substance.” The board said the substance was tested by a hazmat team and “determined to be flour.”
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate confirmed in a statement that his office also received a suspicious package, and that first responders “have determined that there is no threat to any of our staff or the public.” He added: “We have now reopened our office and will continue our normal business operations.”
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office also received a “suspicious envelope containing powder,” Hargett spokesman Doug Kufner said. “Law enforcement and first responders assessed the situation. It was later determined that there was no threat to personnel or the public and the substance tested negative for hazardous materials.”
Election officials across the country have complained increase in threats Some have pointed to false claims by former President Donald Trump and his allies that the 2020 election was rigged as the reason for the jump. The envelopes sent on Monday went to offices in states where Trump is expected to win in November.
This incident is also the second time in the last year that threats have been made to polling stations in several states at the same time. In November, California officials Georgia, Nevada, Oregon and Washington states all reported suspicious emails addressed to election officials or workers containing suspicious powders.
In at least one of those incidents, the substance was tested and found to be fentanyl. Employees said there were no injuries.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, referred to the envelopes sent to her colleagues. “We cannot tolerate threats against election officials and civil servants” Wrote at X on Monday.
Griswold’s office said it had not received any similar packages in the past 48 hours.