New Delhi: An envelope allegedly containing suspicious substances sent to the district office of Indian-origin US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam in Leesburg, Virginia, prompted an evacuation on Monday, 19 October.
The incident came amid reports of similar suspicious mailings sent to US lawmakers and election offices ahead of the November midterm elections.
“I can confirm that my office in Leesburg received an envelope containing a suspicious substance,” Subramanyam said in a post on X.
“The office was promptly evacuated. Thank you to the Leesburg Police, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and their Hazmat team, and the Capitol Police for your swift response. These acts of political intimidation have no place in our country,” he added.
The incident has drawn attention amid a series of similar reports involving both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and state election offices. Federal authorities are investigating the mailings, although it remains unclear whether all the incidents are connected or who is responsible.
The incidents have also revived memories of earlier attacks involving dangerous substances. In 2001, letters containing anthrax were sent to US senators and media organisations, killing five people and sickening 17 others.
More recently, suspicious mail sent to election offices in 2023 included traces of fentanyl in some cases, according to the Associated Press.
More than three dozen congressional offices targeted
Subramanyam’s office was not an isolated case. On 19 October, United Press International (UPI) reported that more than a dozen lawmakers had disclosed suspicious mail that had reached them or been intercepted before delivery.
The reported incidents included Democrats Suhas Subramanyam, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as well as Republican Senator Ron Johnson.
More than three dozen congressional offices had been targeted with envelopes containing white powder, according to reports. Some letters were intercepted before reaching their recipients, while others prompted evacuations and emergency responses.
According to reports, investigators identified envelopes bearing the words “Thinking of You” and traced them to a mail-processing centre in North Texas. Some envelopes reportedly carried a return address previously associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), but the organisation denied sending them.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Postal Inspection Service are investigating the cases.
“The FBI and US Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretary of state offices and their related election offices, and congressional offices,” the FBI said.
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No hazardous substance found in Subramanyam’s office
In Subramanyam’s case, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue responded at about 9 am on Monday. Technicians found no hazardous substance, and staff were allowed to return to the office around noon.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the exact substance contained in the envelope sent to Subramanyam’s office.
(Edited by Maryam Hassan)