Suspicious Packages Sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN: Live Updates

Already facing criticism for his disparaging rhetoric about the fourth estate, President Donald Trump told supporters on Wednesday that the media is partly to blame for societal divisions that spilled into full view this week with a series of attempted bombings targeting high-profile Democrats and the Manhattan office of news network CNN.

Law enforcement officials have intercepted explosive devices bound for homes and offices of journalists, a billionaire philanthropist, two former presidents and a sitting representative in what was described as an “act of terror” by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. No one was hurt by the string of alarming incidents carried out two weeks before midterm elections.

Trump told reporters at a White House press briefing that “acts of threats or political violence have no place in the United States of America,” calling for “unity.” But just a few hours later the President addressed a rally in Mosinee, Wis., where he blamed partisanship and the press for a fractured society. “The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories,” Trump said to a cheering crowd.

CNN chief Jeff Zucker weighed in late Wednesday, denouncing remarks made by Trump and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The Trump administration has frequently sought to undermine the press by calling the media “fake news,” singling out critical journalists and accusing major news outlets of lying.

“The president, and especially the White House press secretary, should understand their words matter,” said Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide. “Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former DNC Chair Debbie Wbaderman Schultz and Calif. Rep. Maxine Waters were among those who had suspicious packages sent to them. Another, addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, was sent to the office of CNN. Brennan is a Trump critic whose security clearance was revoked by the President in August. The package sent to Wbaderman Schultz had her address on the return label, but was addressed to former Obama Administration Attorney General Eric Holder, the Associated Press reported.

The New York City Police intelligence chief said at a press conference on Wednesday that the package sent to CNN “appears linked” to those sent to the Obamas, Clintons and George Soros, in whose mailbox authorities said they found a bomb this week. Authorities said the package “appeared to be a live explosive device” and also contained a white powder that is still being investigated.

Although the motive behind the packages and the identity of those responsible are not yet known, the individual recipients are high-profile Democrats, many of whom have been been critical of the Trump Administration, and a media outlet that is a frequent target of Trump’s ire during rallies and on Twitter.

Here’s what to know about the suspicious packages sent to prominent politicians and CNN on Wednesday:

Top Democrats, CNN chief demand stronger White House rebuke

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement Wednesday afternoon, calling on President Trump to reverse “his statements that condone acts of violence.”

“Once again, we salute the heroism of America’s first responders as they work to counter the outrageous mail bomb attacks.

“We listened with great interest to the President’s remarks this afternoon. We all take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and protect the American people, and that is our first responsibility.

“However, President Trump’s words ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence.

“Time and time again, the President has condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and his actions: expressing support for the Congressman who body-slammed a reporter, the neo-Nazis who killed a young woman in Charlottesville, his supporters at rallies who get violent with protestors, dictators around the world who murder their own citizens, and referring to the free press as the enemy of the people.”

CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker went further in his admonishment of the administration.

“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media. The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”

At an event Wednesday night, Brennan also faulted Trump for rhetoric that promotes violence, criticizing “a continued failure on the part of Donald Trump to live up to what I think should be all of our expectations of what an American president should be doing.”

“Unfortunately, I think Donald Trump, too often, has helped to incite some of these feelings of anger, if not violence, when he points to acts of violence or also talks about, you know, swinging at somebody from the press,” Brennan said, adding: “If I and others are being targeted because we are speaking out and we’re living up to our responsibilities as citizens, I think that, again, is a very unfortunate turn of events.”

Packages were sent to the Obamas and Clintons

The U.S. Secret Service intercepted a suspicious package addressed to Hillary Clinton and sent to the Clintons’ Chappaqua, New York home late Tuesday night. The Secret Service also intercepted a package addressed to Barack Obama on Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C.

The packages were immediately identified during a routine mail screening as potential explosive devices. There was no risk of Clinton or Obama receiving the packages, the Secret Service said in a statement.

Police officers stand in front of property owned by Hillary and Bill Clinton in Chappaqua, N.Y., on Oct. 24, 2018.

Seth Wenig—AP/REX/Shutterstock

Officials said a “full scope criminal investigation” is underway with federal, state and local resources being used to determine the source of the packages. The packages were sent to the politicians just two days after a bomb was found in the mailbox of liberal philanthropist George Soros’ home in Bedford, New York.

At an event in Florida, Clinton told a crowd: “We are fine thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service.” She added: “But it’s a troubling time, isn’t it?”

CNN was evacuated as authorities responded to a suspicious package

Shortly after news broke of the intercepted packages sent to Clinton and Obama, CNN’s New York City offices were evacuated due to a suspicious device in the newsroom, NYPD confirmed. Employees were cleared to return to the building later that afternoon.

“The NYPD has concluded its security sweep, and it is now safe to return to the building. I so appreciate your patience, as I know what a long day this has been for all of you,” Zucker said in a memo to employees.

Officials told TIME the package found in the CNN mailroom appeared to be a pipe bomb. New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill confirmed that a bomb squad removed the explosive device and that an envelope containing white powder was also removed from the newsroom.

Police officers work the scene after an explosive device was found at the CNN offices in New York on Oct. 24, 2018.

JUSTIN LANE—EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described the incident as an “act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this county through acts of violence.”

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters he was also a recipient of a suspicious package. “A device was sent to my office in Manhattan, which we were just informed about,” he said. NYPD later confirmed the package was not a bomb and it was unrelated to the other devices.

Former DNC chair Debbie Wbaderman Schultz’ office was evacuated

The Sunrise Police Department confirmed that the Florida office of former DNC chair Florida Rep. Debbie Wbaderman Schultz was evacuated Wednesday morning after a suspicious package was intercepted.

The Aventura Police Department confirmed that it is investigating a suspicious package delivered to a government center where Wbaderman Schultz has a second office.

“We will not be intimidated by this attempted act of violence,” she said in a statement later Wednesday. “This appalling attack on our democracy must be vigorously prosecuted, and I am deeply disturbed by the way my name was used.”

Senator Kamala Harris San Diego field office evacuated

San Diego Police confirmed they are investigating a suspicious package found outside the offices of the Union Tribune newspapers. Police said they have evacuated the side facing the building. Officials can not yet confirm if this package is related to the suspicious packages found in New York, Washington and Florida.

Kamala Harris’ communications director confirmed that Harris’ offices were evacuated but said the package in question was not addressed to the Senator.

Suspicious package addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters intercepted

The FBI is confirming that two suspicious packages addressed to Calif. Rep. Maxine Waters had been intercepted and that they were similar to five others also sent to Democratic targets, AP reports.

Capitol Hill Police intercepted a suspicious package Wednesday morning addressed to Waters’ office. Waters thanked law enforcement for their efforts and said she “unequivocally condemns any and all acts of violence and terror.”

“I have been informed by U.S. Capitol Police that my Washington, D.C. office was the target of a suspicious package that has been referred to the FBI,” she said in a statement. “I am appreciative of the law enforcement entities who intercepted the package and are investigating this matter.”

White House condemns ‘cowards’ behind suspicious packages

“The federal government is conducting an aggressive investigation, and we will find those responsible, and we will bring them to justice, hopefully very quickly,” Trump said at a rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday night. “Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself. No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, coercion or control. Such conduct must be fiercely opposed and firmly prosecuted.”

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement condemning the “cowards” behind the packages.

“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton Secretary Clinton and other public figures,” Sanders said. “These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.”

Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump also condemned the attempted attacks.