The devices were packaged in manila envelopes and carried U.S. Nor would they say why the packages hadn’t detonated, but they stressed they were still treating them as “live devices.” He said there was no imminent danger to the Time Warner Center, where CNN’s New York office is located.Īt a press conference Thursday, officials in New York would not discuss possible motives or details on how the packages found their way into the postal system. Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN Worldwide, said in a note to staff that all mail to CNN domestic offices was being screened at off-site facilities. Clapper, a frequent Trump critic, told CNN that he was not surprised he was targeted and that he considered the actions “definitely domestic terrorism.” The package to Clapper was addressed to him at CNN’s Midtown Manhattan address. Trump claimed Friday he was being blamed for the mail bombs, complaining in a tweet sent before dawn: “Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, ‘it’s just not Presidential!'” The common thread among the bomb targets was obvious: their critical words for Trump and his frequent, harsher criticism in return. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. They bore the return address of Florida Rep. The bombs have been sent across the country – from New York, Delaware and Washington, D.C., to Florida and California, where Rep. officials, but one was sent to actor Robert De Niro and billionaire George Soros. Most of those targeted were past or present U.S. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation by name The package addressed to Booker was found during an oversight search of that facility, according to a law enforcement official. One official told AP that investigators are homing in on a postal facility in Opa-locka, Florida, where they believe some packages originated. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, in an interview Thursday with Fox News Channel, acknowledged that some of packages originated in Florida. But they were uncertain whether the devices were poorly designed or never intended to cause physical harm. Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that the devices, containing timers and batteries, were not rigged to explode upon opening. Investigators were analyzing the innards of the crude devices to reveal whether they were intended to detonate or simply sow fear just before Election Day. Trump, on the other hand, complained that “this ‘bomb’ stuff” was taking attention away from the upcoming election and said critics were wrongly blaming him and his heated rhetoric. An earlier package had been sent to former Obama CIA Director John Brennan via CNN in New York.Īttorney General Jeff Sessions said Friday the Justice Department was dedicating every available resource to the investigation “and I can tell you this: We will find the person or persons responsible. The one discovered at a Manhattan postal facility was addressed to Clapper at CNN’s address. The FBI said the package to Booker was intercepted in Florida. The devices have targeted well-known Democrats including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and former Attorney General Eric Holder. The discoveries - making 12 so far - further spurred a coast-to-coast investigation, as officials scrambled to locate a culprit and possible motive amid questions about whether new packages were being sent or simply surfacing after a period in mail system. Cory Booker and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper - both similar to those containing pipe bombs sent to other prominent critics of President Donald Trump- have been intercepted, law enforcement officials said Friday. WASHINGTON (AP) - Suspicious packages addressed to New Jersey Sen. The suspicious package was discovered by postal workers. Two law enforcement officials say a package closely resembling parcels sent to critics of President Donald Trump has been found at the postal facility in Manhattan. A police truck tows a total containment vessel to a post office in midtown Manhattan to dispose of a suspicious package, Friday, Oct.
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