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| Florida man charged with sending 13 pipe bombs to Trump critics | Florida man charged with sending 13 pipe bombs to Trump critics |
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| An avowed Donald Trump supporter in southern Florida has been charged with sending 13 pipe bombs to critics of the president including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. | An avowed Donald Trump supporter in southern Florida has been charged with sending 13 pipe bombs to critics of the president including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. |
| Cesar Sayoc was arrested at an auto parts shop in the city of Plantation on Friday morning. Sayoc’s white van, which was covered in political stickers celebrating Republicans and denouncing the president’s opponents, was parked outside. | Cesar Sayoc was arrested at an auto parts shop in the city of Plantation on Friday morning. Sayoc’s white van, which was covered in political stickers celebrating Republicans and denouncing the president’s opponents, was parked outside. |
| Sayoc, 56, has an address in the Miami suburb of Aventura and an extensive arrest record. According to his social media accounts, he works as a booking agent for a live events company and is a former wrestler and cage fighter. | Sayoc, 56, has an address in the Miami suburb of Aventura and an extensive arrest record. According to his social media accounts, he works as a booking agent for a live events company and is a former wrestler and cage fighter. |
| Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, said at a press conference in Washington that Sayoc had been charged with five offences including threats against former presidents, assaulting current and former federal officers, and mailing explosives. The charges were filed to federal court in Manhattan. | Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, said at a press conference in Washington that Sayoc had been charged with five offences including threats against former presidents, assaulting current and former federal officers, and mailing explosives. The charges were filed to federal court in Manhattan. |
| “Let this be a lesson to anyone, regardless of their political beliefs, that we will bring the full force of law against anyone who attempts to use threats, intimidation and outright violence to further an agenda,” Sessions said. | “Let this be a lesson to anyone, regardless of their political beliefs, that we will bring the full force of law against anyone who attempts to use threats, intimidation and outright violence to further an agenda,” Sessions said. |
| When asked why most of Sayoc’s alleged targets were Democrats, Sessions said: “He appears to be a partisan.” A court filing said the stickers covering Sayoc’s van included “images critical of CNN”, the television station frequently derided by Trump, whose New York studios were the target of two bombs. | |
| Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, said Sayoc had been linked by a fingerprint to a package sent to congresswoman Maxine Waters of California. Wray said DNA possibly from Sayoc was also found in one of the packages. He stressed that the packages contained authentic explosives. “These are not hoax devices,” Wray said. | Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, said Sayoc had been linked by a fingerprint to a package sent to congresswoman Maxine Waters of California. Wray said DNA possibly from Sayoc was also found in one of the packages. He stressed that the packages contained authentic explosives. “These are not hoax devices,” Wray said. |
| Speaking at the White House shortly after the arrest, Trump praised the “incredible job” done by investigators and promised to punish the person responsible for the attempted bombings. | Speaking at the White House shortly after the arrest, Trump praised the “incredible job” done by investigators and promised to punish the person responsible for the attempted bombings. |
| Three of the 13 pipe bombs, addressed to a Democratic senator, a liberal donor and the country’s former intelligence chief, were confirmed by authorities on Friday. They brought to 13 the number known to have been sent. None of the devices exploded before being found and no injuries were reported. | |
| The packages found on Friday were sent to Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, the billionaire Tom Steyer, and James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence. Investigators were also looking into another possible package at a location linked to Senator Kamala Harris of California. | The packages found on Friday were sent to Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, the billionaire Tom Steyer, and James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence. Investigators were also looking into another possible package at a location linked to Senator Kamala Harris of California. |
| Sayoc was born in Brooklyn, New York, and registered as a Republican in 2016, according to public records. His social media accounts contain photographs and video clips in which he is wearing Trump’s signature red baseball cap with the slogan “Make America Great Again”. | Sayoc was born in Brooklyn, New York, and registered as a Republican in 2016, according to public records. His social media accounts contain photographs and video clips in which he is wearing Trump’s signature red baseball cap with the slogan “Make America Great Again”. |
| The 56-year-old has also posted material online denigrating Muslims and raising popular rightwing conspiracy theories, including the false claim that Clinton killed the former deputy White House counsel Vince Foster. | The 56-year-old has also posted material online denigrating Muslims and raising popular rightwing conspiracy theories, including the false claim that Clinton killed the former deputy White House counsel Vince Foster. |
| He threatened CNN in a tweet in August. Rochelle Ritchie, a former aide to Democratic politicians, said on Friday that she reported Sayoc to Twitter earlier this year after he warned her: “Hug your loved ones real close every time you leave you home.” Twitter told her Sayoc had not violated its rules. A Twitter spokeswoman declined to comment on Friday. | He threatened CNN in a tweet in August. Rochelle Ritchie, a former aide to Democratic politicians, said on Friday that she reported Sayoc to Twitter earlier this year after he warned her: “Hug your loved ones real close every time you leave you home.” Twitter told her Sayoc had not violated its rules. A Twitter spokeswoman declined to comment on Friday. |
| Sayoc’s arrest record stretches back more than 25 years and includes charges for theft, battery, domestic violence and other offences. In August 2002, he was found guilty of making a bomb threat to a utilities worker. | Sayoc’s arrest record stretches back more than 25 years and includes charges for theft, battery, domestic violence and other offences. In August 2002, he was found guilty of making a bomb threat to a utilities worker. |
| Daniel Lurvey, an attorney who represented Sayoc in some of his criminal cases, said Sayoc had been “normal and courteous” and did not seem politically angry. “I think it’s a recent phenomenon that’s happening to a lot of people who have feelings under the surface that are brought out by this divisive political climate,” said Lurvey. | Daniel Lurvey, an attorney who represented Sayoc in some of his criminal cases, said Sayoc had been “normal and courteous” and did not seem politically angry. “I think it’s a recent phenomenon that’s happening to a lot of people who have feelings under the surface that are brought out by this divisive political climate,” said Lurvey. |
| On Friday afternoon, police and security guards were blocking off access to an upmarket 27-story condominium block in Aventura, where Sayoc has been listed as a resident. | On Friday afternoon, police and security guards were blocking off access to an upmarket 27-story condominium block in Aventura, where Sayoc has been listed as a resident. |
| Neighbours said they were surprised that the man arrested lived in their community. But one, Dan Ochsenschlagen, said there had been friction on the condominium board between Sayoc’s mother, who is the registered owner of the apartment, and other board members. | Neighbours said they were surprised that the man arrested lived in their community. But one, Dan Ochsenschlagen, said there had been friction on the condominium board between Sayoc’s mother, who is the registered owner of the apartment, and other board members. |
| Wearing an army veteran’s cap, Ochsenschlagen said Sayoc’s mother, who often made political statements, was president of the board for 17 years until she was voted out last December. | Wearing an army veteran’s cap, Ochsenschlagen said Sayoc’s mother, who often made political statements, was president of the board for 17 years until she was voted out last December. |
| “Some of the things that were going on were very questionable,” Ochsenschlagen said. He said he had reported what he called “financial irregularities” to police in Miami. The Guardian was not immediately able to verify the claims. | “Some of the things that were going on were very questionable,” Ochsenschlagen said. He said he had reported what he called “financial irregularities” to police in Miami. The Guardian was not immediately able to verify the claims. |
| Authorities hoped Sayoc’s arrest would end the steady discovery of more matching envelopes, containing what appeared to be pipes packed with explosives and connected to wires, across the US over the past week. The criminal complaint against Sayoc said the packages included photographs of the targets’ faces that had been crossed out with a red “X”. | |
| The first package was discovered on Monday in a mailbox at the New York home of George Soros, a wealthy liberal donor. It was followed by similar packages intercepted by the Secret Service that were addressed to the homes of Obama, the former president, and Clinton, the former secretary of state. | The first package was discovered on Monday in a mailbox at the New York home of George Soros, a wealthy liberal donor. It was followed by similar packages intercepted by the Secret Service that were addressed to the homes of Obama, the former president, and Clinton, the former secretary of state. |
| Over the following days packages were found addressed to the former vice-president Joe Biden, the former attorney general Eric Holder, the former CIA director John Brennan, Waters and the actor Robert De Niro. All are high-profile opponents of Trump. | Over the following days packages were found addressed to the former vice-president Joe Biden, the former attorney general Eric Holder, the former CIA director John Brennan, Waters and the actor Robert De Niro. All are high-profile opponents of Trump. |
| The package addressed to Booker was intercepted in Florida, while the one for Clapper was discovered on Friday morning at a post office in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan. It was addressed to Clapper at the offices of CNN, a few blocks away, where he is employed as an analyst. | The package addressed to Booker was intercepted in Florida, while the one for Clapper was discovered on Friday morning at a post office in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan. It was addressed to Clapper at the offices of CNN, a few blocks away, where he is employed as an analyst. |
| Anyone who has in any way been a public critic of President Trump needs to be on extra alert and take some precautions | Anyone who has in any way been a public critic of President Trump needs to be on extra alert and take some precautions |
| CNN’s Manhattan offices were evacuated on Wednesday when another suspected pipe bomb was sent there, meant for former CIA director John Brennan. Both former intelligence officials have been outspoken critics of Trump’s actions in office. | CNN’s Manhattan offices were evacuated on Wednesday when another suspected pipe bomb was sent there, meant for former CIA director John Brennan. Both former intelligence officials have been outspoken critics of Trump’s actions in office. |
| Clapper on Friday said the packages were part of campaign of “domestic terrorism” intended to sow fear and intimidate people. | Clapper on Friday said the packages were part of campaign of “domestic terrorism” intended to sow fear and intimidate people. |
| “This is not going to silence the administration’s critics,” Clapper told CNN. “But anyone who has in any way been a public critic of President Trump needs to be on extra alert and take some precautions particularly with respect to mail.” | “This is not going to silence the administration’s critics,” Clapper told CNN. “But anyone who has in any way been a public critic of President Trump needs to be on extra alert and take some precautions particularly with respect to mail.” |
| Clapper praised the FBI for its work on the investigation and for persevering in the face of abuse from the president. Trump has accused the FBI of being involved in a “deep state” conspiracy to undermine him and of botching an inquiry into a private email server used by Hillary Clinton. “Will the FBI ever recover its once stellar reputation?” Trump asked in a tweet in August. | |
| Shortly before the arrest, Trump complained that the series of attempted bombings was damaging his party’s prospects for next month’s midterm elections. He also appeared to stoke conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the explosives. | Shortly before the arrest, Trump complained that the series of attempted bombings was damaging his party’s prospects for next month’s midterm elections. He also appeared to stoke conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the explosives. |
| “Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this ‘Bomb’ stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!”, Trump said. The president had also complained in a 3am tweet that he was being unfairly blamed for the attempted bombings. | “Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this ‘Bomb’ stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!”, Trump said. The president had also complained in a 3am tweet that he was being unfairly blamed for the attempted bombings. |
| The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, said Trump’s reaction to the attempted attacks was “wholly inappropriate” and showed he had “never fully made the transition” to being presidential. “Am I hopeful that the zebra changes his or her stripes today? No,” Cuomo said on CNN. | The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, said Trump’s reaction to the attempted attacks was “wholly inappropriate” and showed he had “never fully made the transition” to being presidential. “Am I hopeful that the zebra changes his or her stripes today? No,” Cuomo said on CNN. |
| Supporters of Trump speculated without evidence that the devices were not viable and could not have harmed people. But on Friday, Cuomo said: “No one can say that they were fake bombs. These were dangerous devices that could explode.” | |
| De Niro on Friday made his first remarks on the pipe bomb discovered at his offices in lower Manhattan. “I thank God no one’s been hurt, and I thank the brave and resourceful security and law enforcement people for protecting us,” he said. “There’s something more powerful than bombs, and that’s your vote. People must vote!” | De Niro on Friday made his first remarks on the pipe bomb discovered at his offices in lower Manhattan. “I thank God no one’s been hurt, and I thank the brave and resourceful security and law enforcement people for protecting us,” he said. “There’s something more powerful than bombs, and that’s your vote. People must vote!” |
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