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Pipe bombs sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN and Soros considered linked – live Pipe bombs sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN and Soros considered linked – live
(35 minutes later)
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s spokesman has identified the device sent to his office, originally believed to be suspicious, as a thumb drive containing files on the far right group Proud Boys. It does not appear to be related to the explosive devices.
A preliminary investigation on the package at @NYGovCuomo's office shows it is computer files on the hate group, The Proud Boys, who recently appeared in New York.
President Trump called the attempted bombings “despicable” and vowed that the federal government would not rest until the perpetrators are found.
“A major federal investigation is now underway. The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice,” he said in remarks at the White House.
The explosive devices are currently being tested, Trump said.
“We have to unify. We have to come together,” he said. “Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
Trump did not address criticism of his own role attacking news outlets and opposing politicians.
“This egregious conduct is abhorrent to everything we hold dear,” Trump said. “We’re extremely angry, upset, unhappy about what we witnessed this morning and we will get to the bottom of it.”
The president plans to appear Wednesday night at a campaign rally in Wisconsin. At a similar rally last week, Trump praised a Congressman’s assault on a Guardian reporter.
At the White House event, previously scheduled to discuss the opioid epidemic, Trump was preceded to the podium by his wife Melania who also condemned the attempted attacks. “We cannot tolerate those cowardly attacks,” she said.
The device sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office was a hoax device, not a live explosive like the others, 1010 WINS radio reported.The device sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office was a hoax device, not a live explosive like the others, 1010 WINS radio reported.
But it contained a note citing the Proud Boys, the right wing group whose members were recently involved in a physical fight with protesters in Manhattan.But it contained a note citing the Proud Boys, the right wing group whose members were recently involved in a physical fight with protesters in Manhattan.
NY1 said the device was a thumb drive.NY1 said the device was a thumb drive.
“The suspicious package at the Governor’s office has been deemed non-suspicious, non-hazard. NOT related to other events,” the NYPD told Politico.“The suspicious package at the Governor’s office has been deemed non-suspicious, non-hazard. NOT related to other events,” the NYPD told Politico.
Here’s a photo of the pipe bomb sent to CNN, published by the network.Here’s a photo of the pipe bomb sent to CNN, published by the network.
This is the suspicious package received this morning at the Time Warner Center, which houses the CNN New York bureau.Police say the package appeared to be a “live explosive device.” It has now been removed and taken to a NYPD facility in the Bronx. https://t.co/WMndoOPcym pic.twitter.com/s5PEmvgzpzThis is the suspicious package received this morning at the Time Warner Center, which houses the CNN New York bureau.Police say the package appeared to be a “live explosive device.” It has now been removed and taken to a NYPD facility in the Bronx. https://t.co/WMndoOPcym pic.twitter.com/s5PEmvgzpz
Police believe the device was dropped off by a courier, rather than sent by mail, CNN reported.Police believe the device was dropped off by a courier, rather than sent by mail, CNN reported.
It was previously reported that the device sent to financier George Soros was hand delivered, not mailed.It was previously reported that the device sent to financier George Soros was hand delivered, not mailed.
The package was addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, care of CNN. Brennan does not actually work at the cable network.The package was addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, care of CNN. Brennan does not actually work at the cable network.
Another suspicious package has been intercepted at a Congressional mail screening facility in Capitol Heights, Maryland, according to CNN.Another suspicious package has been intercepted at a Congressional mail screening facility in Capitol Heights, Maryland, according to CNN.
The Capitol Police bomb squad responded.The Capitol Police bomb squad responded.
ABC News reported the package was addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat.ABC News reported the package was addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat.
Other suspicious packages found around the country have proved to be false alarms. The California building containing offices of Sen. Kamala Harris and the San Diego Union-Tribune was briefly evacuated after someone spotted a stack of packages they found suspicious, the paper reported, but they were found to contain a shoe, children’s books, an empty bag of chips and other miscellaneous items.Other suspicious packages found around the country have proved to be false alarms. The California building containing offices of Sen. Kamala Harris and the San Diego Union-Tribune was briefly evacuated after someone spotted a stack of packages they found suspicious, the paper reported, but they were found to contain a shoe, children’s books, an empty bag of chips and other miscellaneous items.
“This clearly is an act of terror,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said of the explosive device sent to CNN.“This clearly is an act of terror,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said of the explosive device sent to CNN.
NYPD officers were called to the Columbus Circle office complex and discovered what appeared to be “a live explosive device,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill.NYPD officers were called to the Columbus Circle office complex and discovered what appeared to be “a live explosive device,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill.
An envelope containing white powder was also found in the same package. It is being tested.An envelope containing white powder was also found in the same package. It is being tested.
The devices “appeared to be pipe bombs,” said the FBI’s special agent in charge of the counter-terrorism division in New York, Bryan Paarmann.The devices “appeared to be pipe bombs,” said the FBI’s special agent in charge of the counter-terrorism division in New York, Bryan Paarmann.
Officials believe the same person or group is responsible for all the devices. “It appears that an individual or individuals sent out multiple similar packages,” Paarmann said.Officials believe the same person or group is responsible for all the devices. “It appears that an individual or individuals sent out multiple similar packages,” Paarmann said.
Police have secured and removed the device, and swept the area with dogs and equipment, O’Neill said. Additional police are being deployed to media locations around the city as a precautionary measure, but there are no specific credible threats directed at the city.Police have secured and removed the device, and swept the area with dogs and equipment, O’Neill said. Additional police are being deployed to media locations around the city as a precautionary measure, but there are no specific credible threats directed at the city.
New York’s mayor and governor called the attempted bombing terrorism.New York’s mayor and governor called the attempted bombing terrorism.
“What we saw here today was an effort to terrorize. This clearly is an act of terror, attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence,” de Blasio said. “The people of New York City will not be intimidated.”“What we saw here today was an effort to terrorize. This clearly is an act of terror, attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence,” de Blasio said. “The people of New York City will not be intimidated.”
“This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s a time when people are feeling a lot of hatred in the air, and incidents like this exacerbate this pain and exacerbate that fear,” the mayor said, stressing that a very small number of people were trying to divide Americans through violence.“This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s a time when people are feeling a lot of hatred in the air, and incidents like this exacerbate this pain and exacerbate that fear,” the mayor said, stressing that a very small number of people were trying to divide Americans through violence.
“It is imperative that we ensure that they fail,” he said. “This is a moment in history that is painful, but it will pass. This too will pass.”“It is imperative that we ensure that they fail,” he said. “This is a moment in history that is painful, but it will pass. This too will pass.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said: “We will not allow these terrorist thugs to change the way we live our lives. They fail unless we allow them to win, and we will not allow them to win.”Gov. Andrew Cuomo said: “We will not allow these terrorist thugs to change the way we live our lives. They fail unless we allow them to win, and we will not allow them to win.”
Asked about President Trump’s role in stoking political hatred, de Blasio declined to criticize him directly, aaying that at a time of heightened division “it does not make sense to exacerbate it.”Asked about President Trump’s role in stoking political hatred, de Blasio declined to criticize him directly, aaying that at a time of heightened division “it does not make sense to exacerbate it.”
But he sent a message he said was for all public officials: “Don’t encourage violence, don’t encourage hatred, don’t encourage attacks on media,” he said. “Unfortunately this atmosphere of hatred is contributing to the choices people are making to turn to violence.”But he sent a message he said was for all public officials: “Don’t encourage violence, don’t encourage hatred, don’t encourage attacks on media,” he said. “Unfortunately this atmosphere of hatred is contributing to the choices people are making to turn to violence.”
Another suspicious device has been sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office, the governor said.Another suspicious device has been sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office, the governor said.
“We wouldn’t be at all surprised if more devices show up,” Cuomo said during a press conference on the threats. “A device has been sent to my office in Manhattan, which we were just informed about, and that device is also being handled.”“We wouldn’t be at all surprised if more devices show up,” Cuomo said during a press conference on the threats. “A device has been sent to my office in Manhattan, which we were just informed about, and that device is also being handled.”
“We refuse to be intimidated. We refuse to allow them to make us afraid,” Cuomo said.“We refuse to be intimidated. We refuse to allow them to make us afraid,” Cuomo said.
Alexander Soros, the son of financier George Soros, said the explosive devices sent to his father and other political figures are a threat “to the future of American democracy.”Alexander Soros, the son of financier George Soros, said the explosive devices sent to his father and other political figures are a threat “to the future of American democracy.”
An explosive device was found Monday in the mailbox of Soros’ Katonah, New York home and is believed to be linked to devices sent to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and CNN.An explosive device was found Monday in the mailbox of Soros’ Katonah, New York home and is believed to be linked to devices sent to former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and CNN.
“We are all grateful that no one was injured, and grateful to those who kept us safe. But the incident was profoundly disturbing — as a threat not just to the safety of our family, neighbors, colleagues and friends, but also to the future of American democracy,” the younger Soros wrote in a New York Times op-ed.“We are all grateful that no one was injured, and grateful to those who kept us safe. But the incident was profoundly disturbing — as a threat not just to the safety of our family, neighbors, colleagues and friends, but also to the future of American democracy,” the younger Soros wrote in a New York Times op-ed.
“While the responsibility lies with the individual or individuals who sent these lethal devices to my family home and Mr. Obama’s and Ms. Clinton’s offices, I cannot see it divorced from the new normal of political demonization that plagues us today,” he wrote. “We must find our way to a new political discourse that shuns the demonization of all political opponents. A first step would be to cast our ballots to reject those politicians cynically responsible for undermining the institutions of our democracy. And we must do it now, before it is too late.”“While the responsibility lies with the individual or individuals who sent these lethal devices to my family home and Mr. Obama’s and Ms. Clinton’s offices, I cannot see it divorced from the new normal of political demonization that plagues us today,” he wrote. “We must find our way to a new political discourse that shuns the demonization of all political opponents. A first step would be to cast our ballots to reject those politicians cynically responsible for undermining the institutions of our democracy. And we must do it now, before it is too late.”
Hillary Clinton addressed the bombs in remarks at a campaign event in Miami.Hillary Clinton addressed the bombs in remarks at a campaign event in Miami.
“Many of you and others across our country have asked after me and my family, and I’m very grateful for that. We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service,” she said.“Many of you and others across our country have asked after me and my family, and I’m very grateful for that. We are fine, thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service,” she said.
“It is a troubling time, isn’t it? And it’s a time of deep divisions, and we have to do everything we can do to bring our country together,” Clinton said.“It is a troubling time, isn’t it? And it’s a time of deep divisions, and we have to do everything we can do to bring our country together,” Clinton said.
She went on to advocate voting for candidates who would promote unity.She went on to advocate voting for candidates who would promote unity.
Officials are treating the four explosive devices targeting political figures as if they are linked, a law enforcement official told CBS News.Officials are treating the four explosive devices targeting political figures as if they are linked, a law enforcement official told CBS News.
The devices were all similar, and have been described in several reports as pipe bombs.The devices were all similar, and have been described in several reports as pipe bombs.
The official told CBS they contained crude but functional low-ordnance explosive devices.The official told CBS they contained crude but functional low-ordnance explosive devices.
The packages had the return address of Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, CNN reported. It’s a false return address used by whoever is behind the device. CNN reported that another explosive device was sent to President Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder - but it had the wrong address and was returned to sender. That package was therefore returned to Wasserman Schultz’s Florida office, where it was discovered as a suspicious package Wednesday. The office was evacuated.The packages had the return address of Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, CNN reported. It’s a false return address used by whoever is behind the device. CNN reported that another explosive device was sent to President Obama’s attorney general, Eric Holder - but it had the wrong address and was returned to sender. That package was therefore returned to Wasserman Schultz’s Florida office, where it was discovered as a suspicious package Wednesday. The office was evacuated.
Here’s a map showing the locations of explosive devices sent to former President Barack Obama, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and financier George Soros. A fourth explosive device was sent to CNN in New York.Here’s a map showing the locations of explosive devices sent to former President Barack Obama, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and financier George Soros. A fourth explosive device was sent to CNN in New York.
Philippe Reines, a former top aide to Hillary Clinton, blamed President Trump for the attempted attacks in a tweet, saying he has “incited & condoned hate.”Philippe Reines, a former top aide to Hillary Clinton, blamed President Trump for the attempted attacks in a tweet, saying he has “incited & condoned hate.”
“This is on you,” he tweeted.“This is on you,” he tweeted.
.@realDonaldTrump with every fiber of your rotten being you‘ve incited & condoned hate. Never in 643 days have you discouraged people from unleashing the violence inside them. Your very existence requires anger & fear. You need it like normal people need oxygen.This is on you..@realDonaldTrump with every fiber of your rotten being you‘ve incited & condoned hate. Never in 643 days have you discouraged people from unleashing the violence inside them. Your very existence requires anger & fear. You need it like normal people need oxygen.This is on you.
A handful of far right types on the internet are floating the theory that the attempted attacks were falsified to help Democrats, the Daily Beast reported.A handful of far right types on the internet are floating the theory that the attempted attacks were falsified to help Democrats, the Daily Beast reported.
John Cardillo, a radio host and former NYPD officer, tweeted: “Just too coincidental that two weeks before Election Day, as the ‘blue wave’ has turned into a ripple, and the left is losing ground because of incivility and violent rhetoric, explosive devices show up in the mailboxes of Soros, Clinton, and Obama.” He later deleted the tweet.John Cardillo, a radio host and former NYPD officer, tweeted: “Just too coincidental that two weeks before Election Day, as the ‘blue wave’ has turned into a ripple, and the left is losing ground because of incivility and violent rhetoric, explosive devices show up in the mailboxes of Soros, Clinton, and Obama.” He later deleted the tweet.
Michael Flynn Jr., the son of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, called the explosive devices “a total false flag operation,” a term also used by other fringe commenters.Michael Flynn Jr., the son of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, called the explosive devices “a total false flag operation,” a term also used by other fringe commenters.
In his first direct comments on the explosive devices, President Trump echoed Vice President Mike Pence’s comments condemning the incidents.In his first direct comments on the explosive devices, President Trump echoed Vice President Mike Pence’s comments condemning the incidents.
I agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vUI agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vU
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill will give a briefing on the explosive device sent to the Time Warner center at the location at 12:45, according to the mayor’s office.Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill will give a briefing on the explosive device sent to the Time Warner center at the location at 12:45, according to the mayor’s office.