Vials of blood addressed to Donald Trump prompt evacuation of Republican National Committee headquarters
- Hazardous-materials teams were called in after the vials were discovered, though it is not clear if anyone came into contact with the blood or why it was sent
- Trump’s hand-picked leadership – including his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the party’s national vice-chair – recently took over the RNC
The Republican National Committee’s Washington headquarters was briefly evacuated on Wednesday as police investigated two vials of blood that had been addressed to former US president Donald Trump following the presumptive presidential nominee’s takeover of the national party apparatus.
Hazardous-materials teams were called in after the vials were discovered, according to the US Capitol Police, who said they would continue to investigate. It was unclear if anyone came into contact with the blood and to whom it belonged.
The vials were addressed to Trump, according to a person familiar with the situation but not authorised to speak about it publicly. It was unclear whether any message accompanied the vials explaining why they were sent.
The RNC chairman, Michael Whatley, decried the “revolting attack” but did not offer more details.
“We are thankful to law enforcement, who responded quickly and ensured everyone’s safety. The lockdown has been cleared and staff has resumed their office duties because we remain unintimidated and undeterred in our efforts to elect President Trump to the White House,” Whatley said in a statement.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned “any form of threats”, adding, “That has no place in our politics, no place anywhere.”