Politics
Mailings to Wisconsin officials and institutions prompt federal probe
A series of suspicious letters sent to Wisconsin lawmakers, the state Elections Commission and Marquette’s polling operation is under investigation by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Authorities say testing found no hazardous material in two of the Wisconsin mailings, and no injuries have been reported.
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin’s elected officials and public institutions are among the recipients of a series of suspicious mailings now under federal investigation, raising concerns about threats and disruptions to government work.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission received a letter containing an unknown substance last week. Testing later showed the material was not hazardous. Since then, U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore and one other Wisconsin lawmaker have reported receiving suspicious mail. The Marquette Law School Poll also received a suspicious letter.
Baldwin said her staff and employees at her Milwaukee office were safe. “It’s absolutely unacceptable to intimidate elected officials,” she said, adding that she would continue doing her job. Johnson and Moore also commented on the incidents on X and thanked first responders.
The U.S. Postal Service said some letters sent to lawmakers in several states contained an unknown substance. The FBI and Postal Inspection Service are investigating the mailings. Investigators are expected to examine possible connections, including postmarks, packaging and other forensic evidence, said Shayne Buchwald-Nickoles, a former FBI agent, at a news conference last week.
“Even if the powder turns out to be harmless, that doesn’t make the conduct harmless,” Buchwald-Nickoles said. He said incidents like these use law enforcement resources, interrupt government operations and frighten public employees.
Marquette Law School Poll officials, like the Elections Commission, said testing found their suspicious mail was not hazardous. No injuries related to the mailings have been reported.
Rep. Mark Pocan’s office confirmed House Democrats held a security meeting Tuesday. Before it took place, the office said the suspicious mailings were expected to be discussed.