Ocasio-Cortez's Bronx Office Gets Suspicious Letter as Wave of Mailings to Congress Grows

5 days ago

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said Tuesday that her district office in the Bronx received a suspicious letter, making her the latest member of Congress targeted in a nationwide wave of mailings, some containing an unknown white powder.

The letter arrived at her Hunts Point district office and is being investigated by the New York City Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI, according to a statement from her office. The statement said more than three dozen congressional offices across the country have reported receiving letters containing unknown white powders.

What Ocasio-Cortez Said

"Today, my Hunts Point District Office received a suspicious letter consistent with those received by dozens of elected officials across the country," Ocasio-Cortez said. She thanked local and federal law enforcement for responding quickly "to ensure the safety of my staff."

"This string of suspicious mailings started two weeks before a consequential midterm election and is seemingly intended to intimidate public servants and sow further division," she said. "Political violence has no place in our country."

Her office did not say whether the letter contained any powder or whether anyone was exposed.

A Wave That Hits Both Parties

Most of the lawmakers who have spoken out are House Democrats, but Republicans have been targeted too. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Mike Rounds of South Dakota have said their state offices received letters, according to CQ Roll Call and Just the News.

"Today my Omaha office received a letter with a powdery substance," Ricketts wrote on X on Friday, according to Roll Call.

Photos shared by some lawmakers show "DSA" and a return address once tied to the Democratic Socialists of America, Roll Call reported. The group has denied sending the letters, and Just the News reported the group has not been at that address since 2013.

What Investigators Have Said

The FBI said last week it is working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate "a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide," including secretary of state and election offices, Roll Call reported.

In a memo to House members and staff on Monday, House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland wrote that "none of the letters received by Congressional offices have been determined to contain hazardous substances," but warned more offices may receive similar letters "in the coming days," according to Roll Call.

No arrests have been announced. The mailings come about two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Hold Everyone Accountable.

Sources: Office of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, "Ocasio-Cortez Statement on Suspicious Letter Sent to District Office in Hunts Point" (Oct. 20, 2026): https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-releases/ocasio-cortez-statement-suspicious-letter-sent-district-office-hunts-point ; Just the News: https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/aoc-says-bronx-district-office-received-suspicious-letter ; CQ Roll Call: https://rollcall.com/2026/10/19/security-official-warns-more-suspicious-letters-lawmakers/ ; The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/6161365-ocasio-cortez-garcia-suspicious-mailings/