Suspicious envelopes sent to Trump and Pentagon

WASHINGTON — U.S. authorities are investigating two envelopes suspected of containing a suspected poison that were addressed to top military chiefs and a third with unknown contents sent to President Donald Trump.

In a statement Tuesday evening, the Secret Service confirmed that a suspicious envelope had been sent to the president on Monday, but was not received at the White House, nor did it ever enter the White House. The agency did not disclose any details about what was in the envelope or where it was received. The White House had no comment.

Authorities at a Pentagon mail-screening facility were investigating two envelopes suspected of containing a poison, ricin, made from castor beans. Those letters were addressed to Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, who is travelling in Europe this week, and the U.S. Navy’s top officer, Adm. John Richardson, a defence official said.

They were turned over to the FBI for analysis. The official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of FBI release of its findings.

Neither envelope entered the Pentagon. The mail-screening facility is on the Pentagon grounds but separate from the main building.

In Houston, a spokeswoman for Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said a package addressed to Cruz’s Houston campaign headquarters caused a lockdown, which was later lifted.

The Houston Fire Department said two people were taken to a hospital Tuesday after apparently being exposed to a “white powdery substance,” though it didn’t provide details about the two people or say whether they are fine.

The fire department tweeted that tests for hazardous substances were negative after the building floor where Cruz’s office is located was evacuated.