© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

RNC headquarters were locked down over vials of blood sent to the building

Updated May 22, 2024 at 13:59 PM ET

The Republican National Committee said its headquarters in Washington, D.C., were placed under lockdown Wednesday morning after vials of blood were sent to the building.

In a statement, the RNC referred to the incident as a "biological attack."

"We are thankful to law enforcement, who responded quickly and ensured everyone's safety," RNC Chair Michael Whatley said in the statement. "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."

The office was cordoned off for a couple hours as United States Capitol Police responded to the report of a suspicious package.

The package, which contained two vials of blood, was cleared by the department's Hazardous Incident Response Division, according to the USCP.

Copyright 2024 NPR

Franco Ordoñez is an NPR White House correspondent.
Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.