White Powder in Threatening Letters to Maryland Lawmakers

Maryland state elections officials and members of the congressional delegation have received threatening letters containing a white powder. Federal investigators confirmed the substance is nontoxic, but they have not yet identified what it is or who sent it.

The suspicious mailings are part of a nationwide trend targeting lawmakers and election workers. The first reports of these letters came from Louisiana and Oklahoma before the practice spread to other states. This activity is happening just weeks before the November 3 elections.

Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis said his office intercepted a suspicious letter after increasing mail screening. Law enforcement took possession of the item. Both Maryland U.S. senators and at least five of the state’s eight House members confirmed they received similar mailings.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume’s Baltimore office received one of the letters. He asked postal inspectors to brief him on the investigation’s scope and current security measures. Staff at Rep. Johnny Olszewski’s office found a suspicious letter and isolated it before calling authorities. Rep. Steny Hoyer also reported receiving a letter at his Greenbelt district office.

Not all offices received the mail. Rep. Andy Harris’ office said it had not received a letter. Other congressional offices either declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are jointly investigating the incident. They have not identified a motive for the senders.

DeMarinis stated that the threats will not stop election officials from doing their jobs. He emphasized the goal of ensuring Marylanders can safely participate in the upcoming election. The investigation continues as authorities review the remaining mail items.