Maryland congressional offices targeted by suspicious letters with powder

Almost every member of Congress from Maryland and the state’s elections office received letters containing a nontoxic powder at one of their offices last week, WTOP reported. The letters are part of a nationwide series of similar mailings targeting dozens of congressional lawmakers, election officials, and secretaries of state ahead of the November 3 elections.

The letters first appeared early last week, initially sent to representatives in Louisiana and Oklahoma, and have since spread to Maryland offices. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are jointly investigating the incidents, according to WTOP.

Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis described the situation as “pure madness” and said his office intercepted the letter after enhanced mail inspection procedures were put in place. Most Maryland congressional offices confirmed receiving the letters, with only one office reporting no targeting.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume received a letter at his Baltimore office and has requested a briefing from postal inspection service leaders on the scope of the mailings, including how many letters were intercepted and how agencies communicate about such security threats.

The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about election security and safety of elected officials and election workers in the region as the November elections approach.