Utah’s top elections official was the target of a “suspicious” letter containing white powder and signed by the “United States Traitor Elimination Army,” her office announced Friday. The FBI reportedly intercepted the letter in Reno, Nevada, that morning.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is one of at least 20 state election officials to receive or to be the intended recipient of such packages in the last week, according to a statement from her office.
“This incident is the latest tactic in a nationwide trend of threats and intimidation toward election officials. But we will not be intimidated,” Henderson said. “I am grateful for the swift action of postal workers and law enforcement and the perseverance of election workers who show up and do their jobs every day despite all the rhetoric and risk. We love them. We owe them. They are heroes.”
The FBI said in a statement it is investigating a “series of suspicious mailings sent to election officials in several states.”
“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident and safely collect the letters,” an FBI spokesperson said. “We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters.”
Henderson’s statement said her office, in collaboration with law enforcement, “will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of election workers” ahead of November.
The threat comes just over a year after the Utah Legislature slashed Henderson’s security detail, previously provided by the Utah Highway Patrol. Her detail was the first to be provided to a lieutenant governor in the state, and came after her election in 2020 when there was a “legitimate threat” made toward her office.
“Based on our analysis, we determined there was a need that warranted a response,” a Utah Department of Public Safety spokesperson said at the time.
A spokesperson for the Utah House of Representatives said in a statement Friday that extra security is provided “when legitimate threats exist.”
A spokesperson for the Senate, meanwhile, said the legislature “has proactively bolstered security and protocols at the Capitol to ensure the safety of everyone who works, serves and visits.”
“Senate leadership extends its appreciation to law enforcement and the FBI for action to intercept suspicious letters,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “Continuing to collaborate with the Utah Highway Patrol and implementing recommendations to help effectively prevent, intercept and address potential threats remains a priority. The Senate leadership is committed to upholding the integrity of the election process while prioritizing the safety of elected officials, staff and the public.”
An FBI spokesperson said in a statement that, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, it is “investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to election officials in several states.” Some of those letters, the FBI said, have contained an “unknown substance.”
“We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters. As this is an ongoing matter we will not be commenting further on the investigation, but the public can be assured safety is our top priority,” FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker said in the statement. “We would also like to remind everyone to exercise care in handling mail, especially from unrecognized senders. If you see something suspicious, please contact law enforcement immediately.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service did not immediately respond to a request for more detail on the letter.
Washoe County Emergency Management was not involved in the response in Reno, Emergency Manager Kelly Echeverria told The Tribune in an email.
Since the 2020 election, after which falsities about election fraud proliferated as some Republicans attempted to explain former President Donald Trump’s loss, officials overseeing elections have experienced a spike in threats.
In a survey of local election officials released earlier this year by the Brennan Center for Justice, 38% reported experiencing threats, harassment or abuse. Amid the hostile behavior, many have left their posts.
Since 2020, more than half of Utah’s county clerks — the officials charged with administering elections — have opted to step away from their role.
