Minnesota Secretary of State's Office evacuated after receiving "suspicious" package, officials say
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Secretary of State's Office in Minnesota was evacuated on Friday after receiving a "suspicious" package, officials say.
The office was evacuated around 12 p.m.
According to the Secretary of State's Office, the package was addressed to "election admin" with a return address to the "United States Traitor Elimination Army."
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon released this statement following the evacuation:
"Threatening election officials is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Our democracy depends on public servants who must be able to perform their duties free from fear, intimidation, or harassment. This action is not deterring our work or determination to deliver another election that is free, fair, accurate, and secure. We will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the person or persons responsible for this action are held accountable."
This comes on the tail of several other secretaries of state and state election officials having received similar suspicious packages.
The Associated Press reported powder-containing packages were sent to secretaries of state and state election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming, citing officials in those states. The secretaries of state for Colorado, Connecticut and Indiana also reported that they had received similar packages.
CBS News reported that election officials say threats are escalating due to a "heightened state of anxiety" around the 2024 presidential election.
On Saturday, state officials said the substance found in the package was nonhazardous.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Minnesota Department of Health spearheaded the investigation and reported the results of their tests on Saturday. However, the health department is continuing to run an additional battery of tests.
