The US Department of Justice and FBI are currently investigating multiple reports of suspicious letters being sent to public officials, as reported by CNN on Thursday. These letters have been received by public officials in California, Georgia, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington state, with most targeting election offices.
According to a statement from the Justice Department spokesperson, the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are actively investigating the matter, treating all the letters as connected for now. A law enforcement official told CNN that more than a dozen of these suspicious letters have been reported so far.
The FBI released a statement confirming that they have responded to multiple incidents involving suspicious letters sent to ballot counting centers in several states. However, they were unable to provide further details on the ongoing investigation.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger expressed his concerns, citing the targeting of election offices with suspicious letters. He mentioned that Fulton County, Georgia, had received a letter suspected to contain fentanyl, a lethal substance. Raffensperger urged elected officials and political candidates to condemn the activity and emphasized the seriousness of the matter, invoking the impact of fentanyl on his family as a personal example.
Similar incidents were reported in Washington state, where election offices received envelopes containing powdery substances. The situation in King County, Washington, was particularly alarming, as fentanyl was found in an envelope received by election officials, leading to the evacuation of the building and a rapid law enforcement response.
These reports come in the midst of a broader trend of election officials facing threats and harassment, stemming from false claims of a stolen election in 2020. The heated political climate surrounding voting has resulted in a wave of resignations and retirements by election officials around the country.
The Justice Department has taken swift action, bringing criminal charges against at least 14 individuals after creating a task force in 2021 to address threats against election workers. However, the recent string of suspicious letters targeting election offices has raised concerns about potential disruptions to future US elections.
Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts expressed his fear that these incidents could be a precursor to further disruptions in the upcoming 2024 elections. He highlighted the need for heightened vigilance and security measures to safeguard the electoral process.
As the investigation into these suspicious letters continues, federal law enforcement agencies are actively working to ensure the safety and security of public officials and election workers across the country.