GOP Sens. Ted Cruz, Susan Collins join growing list of targets of suspicious white powder mailings

The offices of Republican Sens.Ted Cruz and Susan Collins received envelopes Friday containing a “white powder,” putting the number of lawmakers targeted by the suspicious mailings at more than dozen. The FBI, US Postal Inspection Service and Capitol Police are investigating the letters, some of which have been intercepted before reaching their destination. “This afternoon, my Houston office received a suspicious piece of mail containing a white powder substance,” Cruz (R-Texas) wrote on X.

“The FBI, Houston Police and Fire Department, and U.S.Capitol Police responded swiftly.” Cruz called the incident “deeply concerning,” and added that the “attempts to intimidate your political opponents have no place in our country.” A similar letter addressed to Collins (R-Maine) arrived at her Portland office, prompting an evacuation and emergency response.

A separate letter was also mailed to Collins’ Washington, DC, office but was intercepted by US Capitol Police.  “Thank you to the Portland police, the Portland fire department, the hazmat team, and the FBI their quick and courageous response,” Katie Brown, the senator’s chief of staff, said in a statement to local outlets.“This was the fourth attack targeting Sen Collins’ office or home in the past two months. “Despite escalating political rhetoric and harassment, we will continue our work for the people of Maine.”Cruz and Collins are both locked in close midterm reelection battles.Senate offices received a warning about the letters on Thursday from Capitol Police, which included an image of what the suspicious envelopes looked like. Sen.

Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said his staffers did not open a “suspicious piece of mail”  that arrived at his office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Friday because of the law enforcement warning. “I am grateful for the U.S.Capitol Police, who intercepted other letters and sent out a warning allowing my team to recognize this letter before ope...