Feds investigate suspicious letters sent to lawmakers and election officials

More than a dozen election offices in states across the country were sent letters with suspicious materials.

WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement is investigating dozens of letters containing suspicious substances mailed to congressional offices and state election officials across the country less than three weeks before Election Day. Three law enforcement sources briefed on the matter told NBC News that preliminary testing of the white powder substance showed that the contents are not hazardous. However, additional testing will continue at law enforcement labs around the country to ensure the letters do not contain anything dangerous. The offices of several Democratic senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, were targeted. Election offices in at least 15 states — Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin — said they were mailed suspicious packages.

The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were looking into the mailings, according to a notice sent to senior staff members in Senate offices Thursday. “Law enforcement officials are working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered, however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations,” the notice said, according to two people who received it. Two law enforcement sources briefed on the matter confirmed that “dozens of letters” were sent, but because law enforcement continues to intercept the letters, they declined to put