Iran Press/ America: Packages containing suspected explosives were sent to the homes of the former president Barack Obama and the former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton but intercepted by the US Secret Service.
Another suspect package, addressed to the former attorney general Eric Holder, was discovered before reaching its target. The FBI also reported finding two suspicious packages addressed to the Democratic congresswoman Maxine Waters. Federal investigators were additionally trying to track down a suspicious package they believe was addressed to former vice president, Joe Biden, according to The Guardian.
And CNN evacuated its studios in New York after what police called a “live explosive device” was found in its mailroom. The package was addressed to John Brennan, the former CIA director and a well-known critic of Donald Trump.
The packages were found after the discovery on Monday of a bomb in a mailbox at the New York home of George Soros, the billionaire liberal donor. The FBI said that device and at least four others found so far were in matching envelopes with similar address labeling and stamps.
Some Democrats expressed fears that senior Democratic party figures were coming under attack in advance of the 6 November congressional elections. James O’Neill, the New York police commissioner, said the recipients may have been selected because of their opposition to Trump. “It is of concern to us,” O’Neill said.
An urgent manhunt was underway for the person or people behind the bombs.
Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, described the attempted bombings as “an act of terror”. Asked if he linked the incidents to Trump’s praise last week for the violent assault of a Guardian journalist, De Blasio said politicians must stop encouraging attacks on the media. “And that has to start at the top,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking at an event in Florida, Hillary Clinton said the US was in a “troubling time” and condemned divisive rhetoric by politicians. “We have to do everything we can to bring our country together,” said Clinton. “We also have to elect candidates who will try to do the same.”
Trump said at the White House that he condemned the attempted bombings and that a “major federal investigation” to catch those responsible was under way. He followed this with a plea for unity during a midterms campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin.
“Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself,” he told the crowd. “We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony. We can do it … Those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as morally defective.”
Trump also said: “By the way, do you see how nice I’m behaving tonight? Have you ever seen this? We’re all behaving very well and hopefully we can keep it that way, right?”
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Suspected bombs addressed for White House intercepted
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