Federal authorities have launched an investigation after multiple letters containing unidentified suspicious substances were mailed to congressional offices, with at least one envelope bearing the initials of the Democratic Socialists of America and a return address previously associated with the socialist organization.

The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are coordinating the investigation, according to security notifications distributed to congressional employees Thursday. Authorities are attempting to locate and intercept additional suspicious mail before it reaches lawmakers or their staff.

One of the envelopes photographed in the security alert carried the marking “DSA” and listed a return address at a building in Manhattan’s Financial District. The Democratic Socialists of America previously used an address at that same building on its membership documents. Investigators have not established whether the organization had any involvement in sending the letters, and the return address alone does not establish who mailed them.

Congressional personnel were advised that law enforcement agencies were actively working to prevent further deliveries, although officials acknowledged that some envelopes might evade detection.

“Law enforcement officials are working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered, however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations,” the Senate email notice stated.

The warning indicates that the potentially hazardous correspondence may still be circulating through the postal system, raising concerns about the possibility of additional congressional offices receiving similar envelopes.

Authorities have also discovered some of the suspicious letters at locations outside congressional offices, suggesting that the mailing campaign may extend beyond Capitol Hill. The number of envelopes identified so far, the intended recipients and the nature of the substances have not been publicly disclosed.

The investigation follows a separate series of suspicious mailings reported earlier this week at election offices across the country. Officials in Louisiana and Oklahoma said their offices received envelopes containing an unidentified white powder Tuesday, prompting evacuations while emergency personnel examined the material.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose also reported that his office had been targeted, although postal authorities intercepted the suspicious envelope before delivery. No injuries were reported in those incidents.

In a statement Wednesday evening, the FBI acknowledged that suspicious correspondence had been sent to multiple locations nationwide, including state election offices and offices of secretaries of state. Federal investigators said they were working with postal inspectors and other law enforcement agencies to collect and examine the letters. Authorities have not established whether the congressional mailings are connected to those incidents.

The discovery of suspicious substances in mail addressed to government officials has historically prompted heightened security precautions, particularly following the deadly anthrax attacks of 2001, when contaminated letters were sent to congressional offices and media organizations.

As of Thursday morning, the FBI, Capitol Police and Postal Inspection Service had not issued detailed public statements about the congressional investigation. The Democratic Socialists of America had also not responded to a request for comment concerning the return address appearing on at least one envelope.

{Matzav.com}