The Secret Service has confirmed that they have only intercepted two suspicious packages – one addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the other, to President Barack Obama. CNN had previously reported that a package which contained a pipe bomb was intercepted at Joint Base Bolling in D.C. and was described as being similar to the ones sent to Obama, Clinton and Democratic donor George Soros. Meanwhile, New York Police Department was called into respond to a suspicious device discovered in the Time Warner Center in New York City, the home of one of CNN’s bureaus. CNN evacuated the newsroom as a precaution, although it was not immediately clear to whom the package was addressed.CLARIFICATION: At this time the Secret Service has intercepted TWO suspicious packages – one in NY and one in D.C. Reports of a third intercepted package addressed to the WH are incorrect. We refer media to our statement: https://t.co/lJdTn04KmI
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) October 24, 2018
The package that was sent to Obama was intercepted in DC, while the one that was addressed to Clinton was addressed to her Westchester County, N.Y. home. The White House has blasted the sending of the devices in a blistering statement, calling them “terrorizing acts.”Here’s the note Jeff Zucker sent to all CNN employees pic.twitter.com/luAVbf4lBL
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 24, 2018
“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “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.”
Earlier:
Suspicious packages containing explosive devices have been recovered from mail sent to the officers of former President Barack Obama, as well as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Secret Service confirmed on Wednesday, according to the New York Times.
According to law enforcement officials, the devices were similar to a device that was recovered from the home of billionaire George Soros, known for his support of Democratic candidates and progressive causes. The device recovered from Soros’ home was described as being constructed from a six-inch long pipe filled with explosive powder.
The Secret Service released a statement noting that the agency “has intercepted two suspicious packages addressed to Secret Service protectees.” The device addressed to Clinton was found late Tuesday, while Obama’s package was found early on Wednesday.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the statement added. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
Currently the agency has launched a “full scope criminal investigation” in order to determine who is responsible for the terrifying packages.