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FBI Investigates Threatening Letter With White Powder Sent to Scholten

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 3:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) received a threatening letter containing unidentified white powder on Oct. 16.
The letter claimed to be from the Democratic Socialists of America and warned of a post-election “civil war.”
The FBI, Capitol Police and Postal Service opened investigations into the threatening letters.
Grand Rapids Police Department joined the FBI in responding to Scholten’s report.
Scholten said her staff and responders are safe and praised law-enforcement professionalism.

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Story summary

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) received a threatening letter containing unidentified white powder on Oct. 16.
The letter claimed to be from the Democratic Socialists of America and warned of a post-election “civil war.”
The FBI, Capitol Police and Postal Service opened investigations into the threatening letters.
Grand Rapids Police Department joined the FBI in responding to Scholten’s report.
Scholten said her staff and responders are safe and praised law-enforcement professionalism.