Suspicious envelopes sent to Trump, military officials

WASHINGTON — Authorities were 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 Navy’s top officer, Adm. John Richardson, a defence official said.

They were turned over to the FBI for further analysis. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly ahead of FBI release of its findings.