Rep. DeSaulnier’s Office Targeted In Apparent “White Powder” Mail Threat

Democratic congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office in Walnut Creek was evacuated and sealed off for HazMat investigation Friday after a package reported containing a suspicious “white powder” was received.

Other democratic members around the country reported receiving similar packages. There has been no specific word of any associated threat received with the packages though police – and federal agents – were investigating.

Hazardous Materials crew outside offices of Rep. DeSaulnier Friday.

The offices of several Democratic senators, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, were also targeted. Election offices in at least 15 states — Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin — also reported receiving suspicious packages.

A significant HazMat response to DeSaulnier’s offices in the 3100 block of Oak Road was noted by this site’s Flash Subscribers at approximately 4p.m., with fire department HazMat teams and police moving the building’s occupants out into the street. Northbound traffic on Oak Road was blocked by police as fire department apparatus maneuvered at the scene.

Attempts to contact Rep. DeSaulnier for comment were not immediately successful though, in a Twitter post, he stated:

“Following reports from U.S. Capitol Police of identical suspicious envelopes containing threatening letters and a white powdery substance that were delivered to other Congressional district offices across the nation, a member of our team identified a letter matching the description and return address, immediately secured the envelope without opening it, and called local law enforcement and US Capitol Police.

Threats and political violence seem to have reached a fever pitch in our country, and I urge my fellow Americans to stand united against such attempts at undermining our democracy.

My priority remains the safety and security of my team, and I am thankful for the quick and decisive response. We remain committed to serving CA-10 residents and will not be deterred from this important work by threats.”

Hazmat teams also responded to the offices of Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider and New York Rep. Ritchie Torres after they also received packages containing an unidentified white powder.

A building representative is prevented from entering after “white powder” was received at Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s office Friday.

Law enforcement sources told NBC News that preliminary testing of the white powder substance showed that the contents are not hazardous. However, additional testing will continue at law enforcement labs around the country.

The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service were looking into the mailings, according to a notice sent to senior staff members in Senate offices Thursday.

Law enforcement sources said “dozens” of the mailings appear to have been sent.