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Pipe bombs latest: FBI hunts for sender after high-profile Democrats targeted – live Pipe bombs latest: FBI hunts for sender after high-profile Democrats targeted – live
(35 minutes later)
CNN’s Jake Tapper, citing his colleague Josh Campbell, has just mentioned on Twitter that a law enforcement official said an FBI bomb truck - which was shown in live images this morning being driven away from Robert DeNiro’s Manhattan office - is currently en route to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia. It was reported last night that that was where the other devices had been taken for forensic analysis. Maxine Waters, the Democratic member of Congress from California and an intended recipient of two of the bombs, has just spoken out and blamed Donald Trump for stoking violence and accuses him of “dog whistling to his constituency.” More in moments...
As the Guardian and others have variously noted, within hours of the news breaking yesterday of explosive devices directed at the Obamas, the Clintons and others, theories were flying online that the bombs were a hoax perpetrated by liberals upon liberals as a smear exercise as the election cycle reaches crescendo. And yesterday evening one Republican political rally attendee was sporting a sign saying: “Democrats fake news fake bombs”. Cuomo added that the specific motivation involved in this bombing campaign has not been stated “and we won’t have that until we find the sender”. He reiterated that it is not clear whether the devices were designed actually to detonate or merely to intimidate their intended receiver.
Cuomo has now backed up what Reuters was reporting earlier: that investigators believe some of the bombs may have originated in Florida.
Cuomo refrains from commenting on reports that the devices, or some of the devices, may have had digital clocks and small batteries triggering as mechanisms – he says he’ll leave questions about that until the press conference due to be help by law enforcement officials – federal investigators, bomb squad and NYPD – shortly. That’s scheduled in New York for 3.30pm ET.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo, speaking on CNN right now, says the bombs could have been built by an amateur, learning their limited expertise from the internet, but adds that “it’s wrong to say, in my opinion, that these are fake bombs”.
Someone else instantly tweets: “We love you and Bill! So glad you’re all safe.”
If the discourse stayed this polite we would reproduce more of it. However ...
This being social media, within nanoseconds someone has tweeted back to her: “You mean wasting their time because the left chooses to send suspicious packages to themselves?”
Hillary Clinton just tweeted: “I’m grateful for the hard work and commitment of the Secret Service every day, and never more than this week.”
I'm grateful for the hard work and commitment of the Secret Service every day, and never more than this week.
CNN’s Jake Tapper, citing his colleague Josh Campbell, has just mentioned on Twitter that a law enforcement official said an FBI bomb truck – which was shown in live images this morning being driven away from Robert De Niro’s Manhattan office – is currently en route to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia. It was reported last night that that was where the other devices had been taken for forensic analysis.
A FBI bomb truck left NYC this morning around 10:30am ET and is currently on the road to the FBI lab at Quantico containing the CNN device, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told @joshscampbell
As the Guardian and others have noted, within hours of the news breaking yesterday of explosive devices directed at Barack Obama, Hillary Clintons and others, theories were flying online that the bombs were a hoax perpetrated by liberals upon liberals as a smear exercise as the election cycle reaches crescendo. And Wednesday evening, one Republican political rally attendee was sporting a sign saying: “Democrats fake news fake bombs.”
DeSantis supporters carrying signs that say “fake news, fake bombs” outside tonight’s debate. #flgov #flapol pic.twitter.com/XDHpqkraEXDeSantis supporters carrying signs that say “fake news, fake bombs” outside tonight’s debate. #flgov #flapol pic.twitter.com/XDHpqkraEX
Gingrich, who was speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, himself gained a reputation as one of the most divisive politicians in a generation. The Republican further claimed at the event on Thursday, according to Axios, that the upsettingly toxic political climate is “everyone’s fault” but pointed to a “tribalization” of cable news (shorthand for Fox v CNN and MSNBC). When asked why the right jumped to conspiracy theories almost immediately after news of the bombs broke, he said: “Because it’s October.” That is: less than two weeks to go before election day.Gingrich, who was speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, himself gained a reputation as one of the most divisive politicians in a generation. The Republican further claimed at the event on Thursday, according to Axios, that the upsettingly toxic political climate is “everyone’s fault” but pointed to a “tribalization” of cable news (shorthand for Fox v CNN and MSNBC). When asked why the right jumped to conspiracy theories almost immediately after news of the bombs broke, he said: “Because it’s October.” That is: less than two weeks to go before election day.
Inevitably, arguments on social media about the veracity of these bombs and their mysterious sender(s) are heated, often highly partisan, personal and can get pretty wild.Inevitably, arguments on social media about the veracity of these bombs and their mysterious sender(s) are heated, often highly partisan, personal and can get pretty wild.
Before we go there, if indeed we do, it’s worth mentioning that the Democrats’ old nemesis Newt Gingrich spoke at an Axios event in Washington on Thursday and said that although Trump’s attacks on the mainstream media as the enemy of the people don’t help narrow the American political divide, “they’ve earned it”.Before we go there, if indeed we do, it’s worth mentioning that the Democrats’ old nemesis Newt Gingrich spoke at an Axios event in Washington on Thursday and said that although Trump’s attacks on the mainstream media as the enemy of the people don’t help narrow the American political divide, “they’ve earned it”.
Reuters now further reports, while still citing an unnamed federal law enforcement source, that the investigation into the 10 pipe bombs “is focusing on leads in Florida”. We are also reminded that no person or entity has claimed responsibility for this wave of what appears to be domestic terrorism.Reuters now further reports, while still citing an unnamed federal law enforcement source, that the investigation into the 10 pipe bombs “is focusing on leads in Florida”. We are also reminded that no person or entity has claimed responsibility for this wave of what appears to be domestic terrorism.
The FBI continues to urge the public to report any tips. The source told the news agency that all 10 of the suspicious packages were believed to have gone through the US Postal Service “at some point”. Authorities describe the devices as “crude”.The FBI continues to urge the public to report any tips. The source told the news agency that all 10 of the suspicious packages were believed to have gone through the US Postal Service “at some point”. Authorities describe the devices as “crude”.
Just to add to the atmosphere of tension, Reuters also reports that a building adjacent to the US Capitol, which houses lawmakers’ offices, was evacuated earlier after a fire alarm was triggered.Just to add to the atmosphere of tension, Reuters also reports that a building adjacent to the US Capitol, which houses lawmakers’ offices, was evacuated earlier after a fire alarm was triggered.
It was the fire alarm going off in the CNN studio that first alerted the station’s on-air journalists that anything was amiss yesterday. So that must have resulted in sharp intakes of breath at the least among staff in those Washington offices today. Fortunately, the Capitol police announced that the alarm was triggered by an electrical malfunction. Staff were allowed to re-enter after about an hour. Congress is not in session and most politicians are in their home districts energetically campaigning ahead of the midterm elections on 6 November.It was the fire alarm going off in the CNN studio that first alerted the station’s on-air journalists that anything was amiss yesterday. So that must have resulted in sharp intakes of breath at the least among staff in those Washington offices today. Fortunately, the Capitol police announced that the alarm was triggered by an electrical malfunction. Staff were allowed to re-enter after about an hour. Congress is not in session and most politicians are in their home districts energetically campaigning ahead of the midterm elections on 6 November.
Reuters is now reporting that investigators believe all the suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats went through the US Postal Service and the authorities are focusing intensely on Florida. The news agency cites a law enforcement source. It has yet to flesh out this news “just in” and the Guardian has not yet independently verified this development.Reuters is now reporting that investigators believe all the suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats went through the US Postal Service and the authorities are focusing intensely on Florida. The news agency cites a law enforcement source. It has yet to flesh out this news “just in” and the Guardian has not yet independently verified this development.
JUST IN: Investigators believe all suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats went through U.S. Postal Service; investigation focusing on Florida - law enforcement source https://t.co/Mw16Q2VMcFJUST IN: Investigators believe all suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats went through U.S. Postal Service; investigation focusing on Florida - law enforcement source https://t.co/Mw16Q2VMcF
Robert De Niro was the latest liberal figure to have been identified as a target in a serial mail bomb campaign. The investigation into that bomb and others continues.
Here’s what we know so far:
Since Monday, 10 suspected or confirmed mail bombs have been sent to high-profile Democrats – including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and George Soros – in five states.
On Wednesday morning, a similar package was found addressed to actor Robert De Niro and two packages were discovered addressed to former vice-president Joe Biden.
Trump called for unity on Wednesday, then went on to criticize the media for creating hostility. He did not acknowledge his own caustic rhetoric – which has been directed at every bomb target.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders backed her boss on Thursday. “Day in, day out, there is a negative tone,” Sanders told reporters outside the White House. “You guys continue to focus only on the negative and there is a role to play.”
Law enforcement have not provided any information on the suspect.
Gary Younge, editor-at-large for the Guardian, writes that after the targeting of politicians and the media in a pipe-bombing campaign, it’s clear where the president’s hostile rhetoric leads:
We do not yet know who planted the bombs or what their motivation was. Nor, at the time of writing, do we know how many more are out there, though it has been reported that billionaire philanthropist and Democratic donor George Soros and actor and vocal Trump critic Robert De Niro have also been targeted.
But while the direct cause remains unclear, given the targets and the timing – just two weeks before the midterm elections – the context could not be more obvious or more chilling. Both in his candidacy and presidency Trump has made direct appeals to political violence. He has advocated protesters be beaten up at his rallies; tweeted a simulation of himself pummelling the news network CNN, as though in a wrestling match; encouraged police to rough up suspects; and in the week in which the Saudi government conceded that Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in its consulate, he lauded a politician for body-slamming the Guardian journalist Ben Jacobs.
So when he says, as he did on Wednesday, “We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America”, it rings not only hollow but hypocritical.
Former investigators said they expect many forensic details were left on the packages, according to NBC New York.
Larry Johnson, a former head of criminal investigations for the US Secret Service, told NBC New York it is likely the person or people behind the bomb have been previously flagged by law enforcement.
“A good percentage of the time, this is not the first time whoever is responsible for this will have stuck their neck out,” Johnson said. “Those looking to do revenge or harm to someone, it doesn’t just come to them one day.”
Anthony Roman, a private security and investigations consultant, told NBC New York the bomber is likely to have left behind genetic material on the package.
“It will be a treasure trove of forensic evidence,” Roman said. “As human beings, we are filtering off our DNA everywhere we walk, everywhere we sit.”
Late-night hosts took aim at the “lazy scaremongering” that has led to a string of attempted attacks on high-profile liberals on Wednesday night’s evening chat shows.
On Late Night with Seth Meyers, the host criticized Trump for his response. “Hey man, you’re the president, you’re supposed to say something to calm people down,” he said. “You can’t just add your name to someone else’s statement like you’re signing a get well soon card for a co-worker.”
Anonymous sources told the AP a suspicious package was discovered at Robert De Niro’s building after someone there saw images of the other packages on the news.
The FBI has also shared images of the packages in the hopes it could provide useful leads on the investigation.
If you have info that could assist the #FBI's investigation of suspicious packages, call 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or use https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. If you observe suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, call 911 or contact local law enforcement immediately. pic.twitter.com/ZsFLKvXrKy
Later today, New York City police department commissioner James O’Neill will provide an update on the package bomb investigation with FBI assistant director Bill Sweeney. They are scheduled to speak together at a 3.30pm ET press conference.
Since Monday, two packages were found in New York City.
The others have been found in New York state, Florida, California, Delaware and Washington DC.
Two of the bomb targets, Hillary Clinton and John Brennan, referenced the situation yesterday.
Speaking in Florida, 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, who ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election. “We also have to elect candidates who will try to do the same.”
During an event in Austin, Texas, Brennan suggested he may have been targeted because of his past criticisms of Trump. “His rhetoric, I think, too frequently fuels these feelings and sentiments that now are bleeding over into, potentially, acts of violence,” Brennan, the former CIA director, said.
He continued: “One could make an argument that it has emboldened individuals to take matters into their own hands. So when he compliments individuals who have in fact body-slammed others, or that he’s going to pay the legal bill of somebody who takes a swing at somebody, that can only be seen as encouragement and incitement.”
Every person law enforcement have identified as targets of the mail bombs has been insulted, often repeatedly, by Donald Trump.
For instance: Trump called representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California, “an extraordinarily low IQ person” in a tweet that ended: “Be careful what you wish for Max!”
Waters has said people have threatened to assassinate, hang and lynch her because of her criticism of Trump.
A brief summary of Trump’s comments about the targets, and their own criticism of the president, here:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) just confirmed one package was addressed to Robert De Niro and two were sent to former vice-president Joe Biden.
The #FBI has confirmed three additional packages, similar in appearance to the others – one in New York addressed to Robert DeNiro, and two in Delaware addressed to former Vice President Joseph Biden.
The Associated Press said the suspected explosive device sent to Robert De Niro may have been sitting in the mailroom of his building for a day or more before it was discovered, according to two law enforcement officials the AP spoke with.
The officials told the AP a person affiliated with the Tribeca Film Center, where the package was addressed, saw news coverage of the other mail bombs and remembered seeing a similar package in the center’s mailroom, then reported it to police.