Nancy Pelosi's office latest to Receive suspicious white powder letter Amid wave of Threats to Congress

Incident part of a coordinated series of mailings targeting lawmakers and election offices before the midterms

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Updated22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

The San Francisco office of Representative Nancy Pelosi received a letter containing white powder on Wednesday, the latest in a series of suspicious mailings targeting dozens of congressional members and election offices ahead of the midterm elections. A spokesperson confirmed all staff are safe and that the incident is under investigation.

Nicholas Martin, a spokesperson for the speaker emerita, said the letter was consistent with mailings reported by other congressional offices. Martin said everyone in the office was safe and that Pelosi was concerned for the members and staff whose offices had experienced similar incidents. Martin said Pelosi was grateful for the efforts of the US Capitol Police, the San Francisco Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate what he described as a series of intimidation across America.

More than three dozen offices of members of Congress across the political spectrum have received envelopes containing white powder in recent days. One lawmaker's office said preliminary tests indicated the powder was not hazardous. Reports indicate more than 100 letters thought to contain the substance are circulating in the US postal system, and election offices across the country have also reported receiving suspicious mail.

The FBI declined to confirm specific instances or letters. In a statement earlier this week the FBI said it and the 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.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The wave of suspicious mailings directly threatens the security of lawmakers and election workers as the midterm elections approach.
Each incident requires significant resources from law enforcement and hazardous materials teams, straining capacity.
The coordinated nature of the attacks raises the stakes for preventing disruption to democratic processes.

Background

White powder scares have been a recurring tactic in the United States since the 2001 anthrax attacks. While most subsequent incidents have proven to be hoaxes involving harmless substances, they must be treated as potentially lethal, triggering elaborate emergency protocols. The current widespread campaign, targeting officials across the political spectrum, is notable for its scale and proximity to an election.

Key Perspectives

Law Enforcement and Investigators: The FBI, US Capitol Police, and US Postal Inspection Service are leading a joint investigation to find the source of the mailings and prevent further incidents. Congressional Members: Lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm over the threats, calling for a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of their staff and the continuity of government functions. Election Officials: Secretary of state offices have reported receiving suspicious mail, adding to the security concerns already heightened by the election cycle.

What to Watch

The outcome of forensic tests on the white powder to determine if it is hazardous.
Any progress in tracing the mailings back to a source or suspect.
Whether Congress considers new mail screening protocols or enhanced security funding.

Sources

Pelosi, other lawmakers get suspicious substance in mail · SF Standard
Nancy Pelosi’s office latest recipient of letter containing white powder · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPelosi’s office was the latest recipient of a letter containing white powder.World news | The Guardian: “Nancy Pelosi’s office latest recipient of letter containing white powder.”
Partly supportedThe mailings were a wave of threats to Congress.World news | The Guardian: ““She is grateful for the efforts of the US Capitol police, the San Francisco police department and other law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this series of intimidation across America.””
Partly supportedThe mailings were a coordinated series targeting lawmakers and election offices before the midterms.World news | The Guardian: “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.”
Partly supportedPelosi’s San Francisco office received a letter containing white powder on Wednesday.World news | The Guardian: “California representative Nancy Pelosi’s office received “a suspicious letter” on Wednesday”
Partly supportedA spokesperson confirmed that everyone in the office was safe and that the incident was under investigation.World news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for Pelosi said the letter was “consistent with mailings reported by other congressional offices” and that everyone in the office was safe. ... The mailings are under investigation by the FBI, the Capitol police and the US Postal Inspection Service.”
SupportedNicholas Martin said the letter was consistent with mailings reported by other congressional offices and that everyone in the office was safe.World news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for Pelosi said the letter was “consistent with mailings reported by other congressional offices” and that everyone in the office was safe. “Speaker Pelosi remains focused on serving the people of San Francisco and is concerned for the members and staff whose offices have experienced similar incidents,” Nicholas Martin, a spokesperson for the speaker emerita, said in a statement.”
SupportedMartin said Pelosi was concerned for affected members and staff and grateful to law enforcement for investigating the incidents.World news | The Guardian: ““Speaker Pelosi remains focused on serving the people of San Francisco and is concerned for the members and staff whose offices have experienced similar incidents,” Nicholas Martin, a spokesperson for the speaker emerita, said in a statement. “She is grateful for the efforts of the US Capitol police, the San Francisco police department and other law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate this series of intimidation across America.””
SupportedMore than three dozen congressional offices across the political spectrum received envelopes containing white powder in recent days.World news | The Guardian: “The offices of more than three dozen members of Congress across the political spectrum have received envelopes containing white powder in recent days.”
SupportedOne lawmaker’s office said preliminary tests indicated the powder was not hazardous.World news | The Guardian: “One lawmaker’s office said preliminary tests indicated the powder was not hazardous.”
SupportedMore than 100 letters thought to contain white powder were reportedly circulating in the US mail system.World news | The Guardian: “More than 100 letters thought to contain white powder were reportedly thought to be circulating in the US mail system.”
SupportedElection offices across the US reported receiving suspicious mail.World news | The Guardian: “Election offices across the US have also reported receiving suspicious mail.”
SupportedThe FBI declined to confirm specific instances or letters and said it and the US Postal Inspection Service were investigating suspicious mailings nationwide, including at election and congressional offices.World news | The Guardian: “The FBI declined to confirm “specific instances or letters”, but said in a statement earlier this week: “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.””