The Cordell Hull Building in Nashville was locked down Thursday following the discovery of a “white powder substance” in mail sent to Republican leaders, in “obvious threats made by a liberal activist,” the House GOP said in a statement. One news outlet is reporting the suspicious mail has the markings of a trans activist.
Officials said everyone is safe and that there have been no injuries reported.
“The sixth floor has been placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, and hazmat teams are on the scene assessing the situation,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said in a statement.
House Republican spokeswoman Jennifer Easton said Homeland Security also was called in.
“The letters contained obvious threats made by a liberal activist specifically targeting Republicans. The sixth floor of the Cordell Hull Building remains on lockdown while Homeland Security and first responders investigate. All employees and members in the building are safe,” the House GOP said in a statement.
The FBI said in a statement that lab testing is underway, and law enforcement officials are trying to determine the number of letters sent, as well as any motive.
“As this is an ongoing matter, we will not be commenting further regarding our steps or methods, but the public can be assured that law enforcement will continue to keep the public’s safety as its top priority,” the FBI said.
Security concerns are growing as political battle over gun control escalates in advance of Governor Bill Lee’s call for a special legislative session to take up a so-called “red flag” bill in late August.
The Tennessee Star last month obtained an audio recording of a group of far-left agitators who met to discuss plans to disrupt the Tennessee legislature’s special session on “public safety.” It provides insight into what the political Left appears to be planning, from legitimate protesting up to and including possible acts of domestic terrorism.
The event’s emcee was Julie Edwards, the Advocacy & Organizing manager for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi. Edwards’ LinkedIn page says she also works in the same role for Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, the pro-abortion group’s political activism arm.
“Keep in mind, the special session is August 21st, so everything we learn here today is to be applied towards the special session,” she said. “So, we are investing in y’all as activists, with the promise that y’all will show up when we need you to show up. Including August, but also I know some of y’all aren’t from Nashville so we’re trusting y’all to go back in your communities, share this information and f**k it up when it needs to happen.” (Emphasis added.)
Prominent Republicans in Kansas earlier this week received multiple suspicious packages, according to reports. Republican leaders there called the mass mailing a “cowardly attempt to intimidate the Legislature.”
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and several other agencies responded after “mail was received by legislators and other public officials containing a suspicious white powder,” KSNT reported.
“At this point, it appears over 100 elected state and legislative officials have received threatening letters filled with a suspicious powdery substance,” a joint statement from the Kansas House and Senate states. “Thankfully, the KDHE is saying the substance is presumptively negative for any biologicals. While this is certainly good news, it has nonetheless been a stressful last few days for our families and other citizens impacted by this cowardly attempt to intimidate the legislature.
A source familiar with the Nashville investigation told the Daily Wire that letters sent to Tennessee Republicans closely resembled the threatening mail received by Kansas Republicans. Both were signed, “your secret despiser.” The return address listed that of a long-dead transgender activist.
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
