White powder and the Kansas Legislature

Over the course of the past week, Kansas legislators have been dealing with the stress of being mailed white powder with cryptic letters. To date, over 100 Kansas legislators have received the suspicious letters as well as Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Last Friday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI) announced they would be working with the FBI along with a host of state agencies to investigate the letters.

Senate President Ty Masterson (R—Andover) revealed in a message to members of his caucus on Saturday night that he had been informed by KBI director Tony Mattivi that Kansas Department of Health and Environment testing had found the powder to be “presumptively negative for any biologicals.”

The KBI announced on Tuesday, June 20, that the FBI would be leading the investigation as it has now expanded beyond Kansas.

“Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of Kansans, and holding those responsible for these crimes accountable,” said Mattivi. “The KBI is so appreciative of the incredible coordination and outstanding response by countless federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as by fire departments, and hazmat teams to this unprecedented event.”

In a joint Republican leadership statement, Republicans urged their members to remain vigilant and cautious when opening their mail as the case is still developing.

“While we don’t yet know who is behind this threat, our members will not be intimidated by extremists who look to undermine the will of the people we were elected to serve. We appreciate all of the prayers and support we’ve received from our Kansas communities and will continue to stand strong together to move forward,” the statement said.

While a motive for the letters is still unclear, there has been an interesting pattern with the suspicious letters. Their return addresses are those of various churches. At least some of the names of the people on the return addresses have been trans people who have been killed. And at least the majority, if not all, of the letters have been sent to GOP members.

Rep. Stephen Owens (R—Hesston) posted on his Instagram a headline from the Kansas City Star from June 16, stating,

“Citizens of America: Tone Down the Stupid Please!

“I was one of the unlucky recipients. Thus far, only Republicans have received them and no one has fallen ill as a result. Regardless, this is unacceptable on every level. Someone will be going to federal prison for a long time. KBI and FBI are investigating.”

Rep. Rebecca Schmoe (R—Ottawa) posted to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 21, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, ‘This fear mongering tactic has had zero effect on anything I believe, nor does it sway me from continuing to stand up for and speak out on issues affecting Kansas House District 59.’”

CJOnline reported that Rep. Fred Patton (R—Topeka) had received a letter from a church in Topeka and “used the name Jahaira Balenciaga, a transgender woman and activist who was murdered in her Massachusetts home in 2021.”

KWCH12 reported that Sen. Molly Baumgardner (R—Overland Park) received a letter that said,

“Salutations,

“To honor your recent accomplishments I send to you a gift from the exclusive astruc baruch collection

“It is important not to choke on your ambition

“Your secret despirer”

The letter concluded with a number of foreign words and symbols.

One commenter pointed out that “Jean Astruc and Baruch Spinoza both worked on the textual analysis of the Bible 15 and Astruc wrote the first great treatise on syphilis and venereal disease. Spinoza, meanwhile, was a wide-ranging philosopher who was very controversial in his time.”

Leftists had some interesting takes regarding this issue as well.