Nashville, Tennessee – A legislative office building in Nashville, Tennessee, reopened on Thursday after several Republican leaders received what the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cameron Sexton, called “white powder material” in an email, leading to a temporary blockade.
In a statement, Sexton said that the dangerous goods team was called to assess the situation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that these letters contain “unknown substances”. The Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that “laboratory testing is ongoing, but it has not yet indicated a risk to public safety.” “Law enforcement and public safety officials are working to determine how many letters were sent, the individuals responsible for these letters, and the motivations behind these letters
A few days before the incident, Kansas officials stated that approximately 100 letters containing suspicious white powder were sent to the congressman’s home and other public officials in the state, and preliminary tests found that these powders tested negative for common dangerous toxins. The authorities did not immediately indicate whether they believe there is a connection between the events in Tennessee and Kansas.
On Thursday, staff at the Tennessee Legislative Building received a series of emails, initially notifying them that entry was not allowed on the sixth floor. About an hour later, another person said that no one could leave or enter the building. One hour later, all floors except the sixth floor reopened. Jennifer Easton, spokesperson for the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives, stated that access was fully restored shortly thereafter.
She said these letters “contain a clear threat specifically addressed to Republicans by a liberal activist.” She did not provide further details.
The blocked Kordel Hull Building is located in the center of Nashville, where legislators and legislative staff as well as the hearing room of the General Assembly Committee are located. Most of the offices on the sixth floor are for members of the House of Representatives and their staff.
This building is connected to the main building of the Tennessee Capitol. Although legislators and staff work there all year round, there is now a significant decrease in public attendance when the General Assembly is adjourned.
The Republican led legislative body is preparing for the August 21st special meeting convened by Republican Governor Bill Lee, who is pushing for the cancellation of firearms for those deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
The Nashville school shooting incident in March resulted in the deaths of three young children and three adults, and the proposal has since gained public support. Republican lawmakers refused to discuss this issue at the end of their annual legislative session in April, and some still expressed their inability to support it.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee legislature drew national attention. A few days after the Nashville school shooting, the Republican Party expelled two Democratic lawmakers for leading a gun control protest in the House of Representatives.
The two were dismissed and later reinstated. The third Democratic congressman narrowly escaped being expelled by one vote.
