Explosive devices feel to Obama, Clintons; CNN evacuated



[ad_1]

Michael Balsamo, The Associated Press

Published Wednesday, October 24, 2018 9:39 AM EDT

Last Updated Wednesday, October 24, 2018 10:51 AM EDT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Secret Service has intercepted a bomb that has been addressed to Hillary Clinton and also discovered a possible explosive that was felt by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Also Wednesday, CNN's offices in New York City have been evacuated because of a suspicious package.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press that investigators believe the explosive was discovered near the Clintons' home in Chappaqua, New York, is linked to a founding Monday at the compound of liberal billionaire George Soros.

The official was not authorized to be publicly discussed and continued.

The official said one of the packages had the return address of Rep. Deborah Wbaderman Schultz, an ironic reference to the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

The package addressed to Obama was intercepted Wednesday by Secret Service agents in Washington.

Neither Clinton nor Obama received the packages, and neither was at risk of receiving them because of screening, the Secret Service said in a statement.

The White House condemned President Obama, Clinton President, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures.

"These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the full extent of the law," press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that "these cowards."

Hillary Clinton was attending the New York residence at the time. She is headlining a fundraising reception on Wednesday to train Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, who is running for Congress in South Florida.

Bill Clinton was at the family's Chappaqua at the Westchester County facility, said a person familiar with his schedule. The person said the device was screened at the facility – not in proximity to their residence – and never reached the Clintons' home.

A law enforcement official told the AP that the package discovered at Soros' home appeared to be a pipe bomb and was in a package placed in a mailbox outside the gates of the compound. A Soros employee opened it just inside the gates, not near Soros' quarters, the official said.

——

Associated Press writer Ken Thomas Contributed to this report

BREAKING: Secret Service intercepts suspicious packages addressed to President Obama and train First Lady Hillary Clinton. Working with our law enforcement partners on the investigation. Our Statement: https://t.co/lJdTn04KmI

– U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) October 24, 2018

We are aware of a suspicious package found in the vicinity of the Clinton residence in Chappaqua, NY, and our JTTF has engaged with our federal, state and local partners to investigate. As this is an on-going investigation, we will have no more

– FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) October 24, 2018

We are being evacuated right now in NYC. Striking scene @jimsciutto and @PoppyHarlowCNN were on air.

– Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 24, 2018

#breaking NYPD bomb squad is waiting for a suspicious package @CNN
What appears to be a pipe with wires was discovered @ ABC7NYNewsDesk

– Derick Waller (@ wallerABC7) October 24, 2018

[ad_2]
Source link