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Ongoing2 earlier updates3 days

This story has run 3 times over 3 days, starting Oct 18.

  1. Congressional staff opened letters with suspicious substances in district offices, The New York Times reports
  2. White-powder envelopes hit offices of more than three dozen members of Congress from both parties
  3. UpdateSuspicious letters reach AOC and Robert Garcia; election offices in 32 states now hit — this issue
AXIOSUpdate

Suspicious letters reach AOC and Robert Garcia; election offices in 32 states now hit

Political Guyentist · October 21, 20261 min read

AXIOS

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Rep-D New York) and Robert Garcia (Rep-D California) said on Tuesday, Oct. 20 that suspicious letters reached their district offices. Garcia said his was intercepted and no one was hurt (The Hill). Election offices in at least 32 states have now received such letters, per a WIRED survey of all 50 states, which Axios also reports. Most were caught by the Postal Service. The 2024 wave reached 16 states (The Guardian).

Catch upwhat happened before · 2 earlier issues

A Louisiana election employee opened a powder letter on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and was not hurt (NPR). By Monday, Oct. 19, offices of more than three dozen members of Congress from both parties had been targeted.

1 earlier issue
Where it standsOffices in Arizona, Delaware, Louisiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina were evacuated when powder was found (WIRED).3 details
  • Offices in Arizona, Delaware, Louisiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina were evacuated when powder was found (WIRED).
  • Unnamed law enforcement sources estimate more than 100 letters may be in the mail (Axios, ABC News). That is an estimate, not a count.
  • Early tests found no hazardous material. The FBI and Postal Inspection Service are investigating and have not said whether the letters are linked.

What we’re less sure of2 of 5 claims