Representative Al Green Receives Suspicious Letter

The lawmaker joins 40 other members of Congress who received mail containing suspicious white powder.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Terrorism

Representative Al Green Receives Suspicious Letter

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U.S. Representative Al Green, 79, discovered a suspicious letter at his Houston office on the same day early voting began. The incident is part of a broader string of mailings sent to at least 40 members of Congress containing substances later confirmed to be non-hazardous.

Why it matters

The systematic campaign of mailing suspicious substances targets congressional offices to create a disturbance and intimidate elected officials. Federal agencies are actively pursuing the investigation to identify and prosecute the sender.

The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the letters, which originated in San Antonio. Authorities have confirmed the substances in the letters are non-hazardous.

The players

Al Green

Representative Al Green is a 79-year-old U.S. Congressman representing Texas's 9th district.

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the principal federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating domestic terrorism and threats.

U.S. Capitol Police

The U.S. Capitol Police is a federal law enforcement agency tasked with protecting the U.S. Congress and its members.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service serves as the primary law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service.

The details

Representative Green's Houston office used special screening equipment to process the letter, which was dated October 13. While mail sent to Capitol Hill undergoes offsite screening, this letter was intercepted at the local office.

2001: Anthrax poisonings occurred.
October 13, 2026: The suspicious letter was dated.
October 19, 2026: Representative Green held a press conference.

Legal Context

The investigation recalls the security protocols established following the 2001 anthrax poisonings, which resulted in five fatalities. Authorities continue to monitor for these disturbances as potential acts of intimidation against elected officials.

Residents should remain aware of increased scrutiny regarding mail processed by federal offices. While the substances were found to be non-hazardous, these incidents are being treated as serious security threats by federal authorities.

The takeaway

The investigation highlights the persistent security challenges facing elected officials in an era of heightened political sensitivity. Representative Green has expressed a clear desire for the perpetrator to be identified, prosecuted, and incarcerated.