Tennessee Republicans Targeted—Legislative Building Goes Into Lockdown

WLTR recently reported on over 100 mysterious packages filled with a white powder substance sent to Kansas GOP lawmakers.

Potential suspects are already being pursued by authorities though nothing has been confirmed as of the time of this writing.

However, on Thursday similar packages were sent to GOP lawmakers in Tennessee causing a legislative building to be locked down.

The Nashville Fire Department posted this announcement:

“Our personnel responded to a suspicious letter call at the Cordell Hull Building. They donned protective suits and air tanks to test the substance. @THPNashville, @FBI, and @DHSgov have personnel on the scene investigating. We have made no transports and have no reports of injuries.”

Our personnel responded to a suspicious letter call at the Cordell Hull Building. They donned protective suits and air tanks to test the substance. @THPNashville @FBI @DHSgov have personnel on the scene investigating. We have made no transports and have no reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/D2WCEDcTig

— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) June 22, 2023

CBS News had more on the incident and confirmed that no one was injured or killed as a result of the attack:

A legislative office building in Nashville, Tennessee was locked down on Thursday after several Republican lawmakers received threatening letters containing white powder. No one was hurt and the FBI is investigating. pic.twitter.com/jzYC6KLGz0

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) June 22, 2023

According to The Associated Press:

A series of emails to the Tennessee legislative building staff Thursday began with notice that no was allowed on the 6th floor.

About an hour later, another said no one could leave or enter the building and an hour after that all but the sixth floor reopened.

Access was completely reinstated shortly thereafter, said House Republican Caucus spokesperson Jennifer Easton.

She said the letters “contained obvious threats made by a liberal activist specifically targeting Republicans.” She didn’t provide further details.

Robby Starbuck offered this tip on the mysterious white powder attack:

“The letter with white powder sent to the Tennessee Capitol was sent using the name of a dead trans person that has been embraced by trans activists. This is the same letter they got in Kansas. This threat does not intimidate our Republican legislators. Their work will continue!”

The letter with white powder sent to the Tennessee Capitol was sent using the name of a dead trans person that has been embraced by trans activists. This is the same letter they got in Kansas. This threat does not intimidate our Republican legislators. Their work will continue!

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 22, 2023

The @tnhousegop says the letters with white powder received by leadership “contained obvious threats” they allege “by a liberal activist targeting Republicans” — @THEChrisOB says it’s the same as letters sent to Kansas Republicans, that substance was deemed not hazardous. pic.twitter.com/yzpRJpqV5L

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 22, 2023

The Hill added:

The FBI confirmed there was no indication of a risk to public safety, but said lab testing of the substance was ongoing.

More testing, however, is needed “to fully identify the unknown substance in the letters,” according to their statement.

The incident comes after more than 100 elected officials in Kansas found suspicious letters with white powder in their mail.