Suspicious Powder Letters Sent to Maryland Lawmakers and Election Office: FBI and Postal Inspectors Investigating
According to a Baltimore local report published Oct. 24, Maryland's two U.S. senators, at least five U.S. House members and the state election office all reported receiving suspicious letters containing powder in the week before Oct. 24; authorities said the powder was nontoxic. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating jointly; the FBI said on Thursday, Oct. 23, that investigators had not yet identified the sender, the powder's composition or a motive, and that the two agencies are coordinating with local law enforcement on each incident. The incidents are part of a nationwide series of similar mailings ahead of the Nov. 3 election, in which lawmakers and election officials received similar letters. Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis said enhanced mail screening allowed law enforcement to intercept a letter sent to his office; he called the situation "pure madness" and said the incidents have not shaken his and his staff's resolve to prepare a safe election. "This is cowardice... this person's goal is to disenfranchise Maryland voters. This is plainly a coward who wants to fundamentally undermine American democracy, starting with elections," he said. The two senators and at least five House members confirmed receiving letters; the office of Republican Rep. Andy Harris was the only one to say it had not been targeted. An aide to Rep. Glenn Ivey declined to comment, and Rep. April McClain Delany did not respond to a request for comment. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：马里兰州议会大厦（资料图）。照片：Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 2.0）。the Maryland State House (file photo). Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
