More than 70 letters containing “suspicious white powder” were mailed to Republican lawmakers in Kansas, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI and numerous state law enforcement agencies are investigating the string of suspicious packages arriving at the homes and offices of several Kansas lawmakers.
“Law enforcement is working to safely collect the letters and investigate the incidents. Currently, no injuries have been reported, but we ask everyone to remain vigilant in handling mail,” a spokesperson for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) said in a statement.
The trend began on Friday, when dozens of lawmakers and other public servants reported that they had received suspicious packages. Republican Senate President Ty Masterson immediately informed lawmakers and warned them to exercise caution when opening their mail.
“If you have something that looks odd, please contact the KBI prior to opening OR if you find a white substance, please call the KBI prior to handling,” Masterson wrote in an email sent to his constituents.
State Sen. Molly Baumgardner, who also received a suspicious package, believes that Kansas legislators and Republicans are being targeted.
“We’re using our finest resources and it’s being squandered because someone – or a group of people – are very deliberately trying to make a point,” Baumgardner said. “Kansas Legislators that are Republican are being targeted. There appears to be some message.”
Similarly, former Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake also received a suspicious white substance just days before the midterm elections last year.
According to Lake’s campaign, a staffer opened a package containing white powder and then quickly set it down. The staff member did not open the second, similar envelope.
“Yesterday, a member of the Kari Lake staff opened an envelope delivered to our campaign office that contained suspicious white powder. It was one of two envelopes that were confiscated by law enforcement and sent to professionals at Quantico for examination, and we are awaiting details,” said Lake campaign spokesperson Colton Duncan in a statement.
The Arizona Republican was on the campaign trail when the package was found, while the staffer was immediately put under medical supervision.
