Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten said her office in Grand Rapids received a threatening letter on Friday, Oct. 16, that contained an unidentified white powder.
Federal officials were already investigating similar letters sent to other members of Congress and state election officials this week, according to media reports. Letters were reportedly sent to U.S. senators of both parties, though House members like Scholten hadn't previously been mentioned as recipients.
The New York Times reported Oct. 15 that the FBI, the Postal Service and the Capitol Police were investigating.
Scholten, of Grand Rapids, put out a news release citing receipt of the letter, saying it claimed to be
from the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, and made "a direct and specific reference to an impending 'civil war' beginning after the election," Scholten's office said.
The release also said the DSA "had not yet addressed the attacks, either to condemn them or to take or deny responsibility." A DSA spokesperson told media outlets, however, including the New York Times, that it did not send the letters and the return address on the envelopes marked DSA was that of an office suite the group hadn't occupied for more than a decade.
Scholten said the Grand Rapids Police Department and the FBI responded to her office's report of the letter.
"Everyone is safe," Scholten said. "The people who work in congressional offices are public servants. They work every day to help constituents and serve their communities. No one should ever feel unsafe doing that work. I’m thankful to law enforcement for their professionalism, and I’m proud of my team for staying calm and looking out for one another."
Scholten blasted the DSA, saying it had "allowed extremists in its movement who not only allow but justify violence as a viable means to achieve political ends." She added, "Regardless of party or origin, extremism must be rejected, condemned, and removed from our political discourse."
The DSA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from the Free Press.
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U.S. Rep Scholten: Grand Rapids office got letter containing white powder
