U.S.WEIRD HOUR

California congressman got envelope with suspicious powder; FBI probes

The envelope was mailed from New York and resembles other letters federal authorities are examining; the FBI has not said what the powder is.

On air: Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBN
Published 10:14 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield on this story, from Late Night BBN at 10:14 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “California congressman mailed envelope with ‘suspicious powder’ as FBI probes letters with DSA-linked address”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:14 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield.

The real story

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New York PostCalifornia congressman mailed envelope with ‘suspicious powder’ as FBI probes letters with DSA-linked address

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwo phones, two thousand dollars, and apparently it is going great.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNow to a California congressman who got an envelope with suspicious powder, mailed from New York, and the FBI is checking similar letters tied to an address linked to the DSA.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMy guest represents both sides, so welcome, Wilhelmina Szabo.
Wilhelmina SzaboThank you. Let me be clear: I condemn this envelope, and I also defend every American's right to send one. Both of those are clients.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHold on. You condemn it and defend it in one sentence?
Wilhelmina SzaboStrictly speaking, I represent the mailroom, and the mailroom is a coalition of the sender, the sorter and the people with the gloves.
Wilhelmina SzaboI am paid by all three.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the people with the gloves are your clients too. That is a lot of billable powder.
Wilhelmina SzaboPowder is not a word I would use. My sender clients prefer substance, and my FBI clients prefer evidence.
Wilhelmina SzaboI bill both at the same hourly rate.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSame envelope, two invoices.
Wilhelmina SzaboEfficiency is a value we share. Strictly speaking, I also represent the postage, and the postage wants this settled before the holidays.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBut you didn't answer the question. Is the congressman safe, and who do you want to hear that from, the sender or the investigators?
Wilhelmina SzaboBoth will tell you he is safe and also that the matter is serious. I wrote both statements this afternoon, and I stamped them myself.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOne last thing. Who opens your own mail?
Wilhelmina SzaboBoth sides. Now does the FBI take invoices?

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