Letter to Obama contained 'suspicious substance'
A letter addressed to President Obama containing what the Secret Service calls "a suspicious substance" was intercepted Tuesday at a mail screening facility, the agency said Wednesday.
Spokesman Edwin Donovan said the letter was received at the Secret Service's White House mail screening facility, which examines all mail for the complex and is not located nearby. The facility, he said, "facility routinely identifies letters or parcels that require secondary screening or scientific testing before delivery."
It comes after an envelope addressed to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) was found to contain a substance believed to be ricin, which is most dangerous when inhaled.
The Secret Service is working with the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI in investigating the letter sent to the president.
Hmmm...right after the Boston explosions, just like the 2001 anthrax mailings were sent right after 9/11.
Whaddya figure? Just some asshole in both cases? Someone pissed off about the gun control or immigration debates? This is becoming increasingly disturbing regardless...
UPDATE: From Politico's twitter feed: BREAKING: Bomb squad on the scene at Hart and Russell Senate office buildings
Update: OK,
here's a tiny bit more info on the "suspicious package" part:
The Secret Service Wednesday said it was investigating a suspicious substance that was found on a letter sent to President Barack Obama, as Capitol Police responded to reports of suspicious packages in the Hart and Russell Senate office buildings.
A bomb squad is on the scene on Capitol Hill, but the buildings have not been evacuated. Certain areas of the buildings have been closed.
An announcement was made in the Hart Building that the investigations were on the first and third floors of the Hart Building.
The Capitol Police has not responded to inquiries.
Also, some news about the person who sent the first letter to Wicker:
Senators were briefed on the letter Tuesday evening and were told a suspect has been identified.
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said the letter came from an individual who frequently writes to lawmakers. She wouldn’t identify the person but confirmed officials were investigating someone.