Suspicious Substance In Mail Causes Evacuation Of Rep. Subramanyam's Loudoun County Office

LEESBURG, VA – The Leesburg office of U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam was evacuated Monday morning after the office received an envelope containing a suspicious substance, the Congressman confirmed on Monday.

“I can confirm that my office in Leesburg received an envelope containing a suspicious substance. The office was promptly evacuated. Thank you to the Leesburg Police, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue and their Hazmat team, and the Capitol Police for your swift response. These acts of political intimidation have no place in our country,” Subramanyam said in a statement posted to social media.

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue reported that they responded to the office at 9 a.m. and that technicians found no hazardous substance. The office was cleared and occupants were allowed to return by around noon.

Subramanyam represents Virginia’s 10th district, which encompasses Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties as well as parts of Fairfax and Prince William. His Leesburg office is at 210 Wirt Street.

Over the past week, letters containing suspicious substances have been sent to the offices of members of Congress and to state election officials, as reported by AP, CBS and others.

Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott said mail containing a suspicious substance was intercepted before reaching his district office on Saturday. Rep. Eugene Vindman reported receiving a suspicious package on Friday.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service say they are investigating the suspicious mailings.

AP reports that the letters are reminiscent of a similar threat in 2023, in which half a dozen election offices received mailings containing a white powder. Some were found to contain fentanyl.

In 2001, five people were killed and 17 sickened when letters containing anthrax were sent to two senators and several news media offices. A biodefense researcher from Fort Detrick in Maryland was ultimately blamed for the attacks, though he took his own life before charges could be brought against him, authorities said.