Explosive devices sent to Clintons, Obama, CNN evacuated after Soros pipe bomb
POLICE are investigating a suspicious package found at actor Robert De Niro’s New York restaurant, media reports say, after mail bombs to prominent figures including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
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Robert De Niro sent ‘suspicious package’
Clintons, Obamas sent ‘pipe bomb’
CNN evacuated over bomb, white powder
NYC authorities call packages ‘an act of terror’
THE New York Police Department is investigating a suspicious package in Tribeca, CNN reports, airing footage of law enforcement in the New York City neighbourhood.
NBC’s New York affiliate reported that the package was similar to ones sent to prominent Democrats earlier this week and was sent to an address that housed a restaurant owned by Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro.
Police removed the package sent to De Niro in Greenwich Street before sunrise, according to local media reports.
The Tribeca Grill, along with the building next door, have been evacuated the New York Post reports.
De Niro has been a prominent critic of President Donald Trump.
The actor made headlines by yelling “F--- Trump” in June during the live Tony Awards telecast.
The package adds to the pattern of at least five explosive devices discovered on Wednesday at CNN and others sent to the homes of former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as key Democrat critics of President Donald Trump.
A serial bomber is suspected of being behind the threats.
Part of Manhattan in New York was placed into lockdown on Wednesday as the NYPD bomb squad moved a pipe bomb-style device from CNN’s New York office to detonate it at its Bronx headquarters.
The device was accompanied by an envelope with white powder.
Former FBI agent Jim Fitzgerald, who is credited with catching Unabomber Ted Kaczynski in 1996, said it was likely the attack was carried out by a single person.
“Almost all bombers in the past have been single bombers,” he told Fox News.
“They are definitely linked, they are definitely together. These are almost always one guy but of course we can’t rule out that there was help somewhere down the line.”
He also said it was possible the author of the attacks could was operating a “black op” or “false flag” event ahead of the midterm elections, in order to paint Republicans as responsible.
It could be “some kind of a letter or an operation or something is done to make it look like it belongs to one entity where it actually in real life belongs to the other.”
“I am by no means locked into this theory,” he said.
“But … it could be someone in there, a Democrat, a low level person, I’m not suggesting anyone on the top, who just decided, you know what I am going to put this out because two weeks before a major election, who’s going to look like the bad guy here? The Republicans.”
Former US president Bill Clinton was at the family’s Chappaqua, New York, home when a package was intercepted at a Westchester County, New York, facility, according to a person familiar with his schedule who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
“The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
The FBI released a statement, revealing the packages were mailed in manilla envelopes with bubble wrap interior, affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps (stamps issued by the United States Postal Service).
Statement on the FBI’s Investigation of Suspicious Packages https://t.co/wwXDpyNt3A pic.twitter.com/rXu1wBAQHj
— FBI (@FBI) October 24, 2018
All packages had a return address of “Debbie Wasserman Shultz” in Florida and were addressed to George Soros, an American investor and business magnate, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Former President Barack Obama, Former CIA Director John Brennan and Former Attorney-General Eric Holder.
VICTIMS OF MAIL BOMB TERROR SCARE
Hillary Clinton was campaigning for Democrats in Florida and wasn’t at the family’s suburban New York residence when the suspicious package addressed to her was seized by the Secret Service.
Mrs Clinton spoke out about the spate of bomb threats and the explosive device that was sent to her, and thanked authorities for protecting her and her family.
“Every day we are grateful for their service and commitment,” she said. “It is a troubling time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together.”
Thank you to the @SecretService and all law enforcement agencies who responded to this week's incidents. They work tirelessly to keep our country and communities safe. I am forever grateful for their efforts.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) October 24, 2018
Every day, I am grateful to the women and men of the United States Secret Service. Thank you.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) October 24, 2018
“We also have to elect candidates who will do the same”, she added, suggesting that the current administration is responsible for stirring up the recent extremism that has exposed deep fissures in the US political landscape.
HAPPENING NOW: Explosive devices addressed to Hillary Clinton and Obama are intercepted https://t.co/3CWQtTalJc
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2018
A similar device was intercepted en route to Mr Obama’s Washington DC home.
The Obamas have yet to comment on the incident.
This is what it looks like outside of the Obamas’ Kalorama neighborhood home in NW DC after @SecretService intercepts two “possible explosive devices†addressed to former President Obama & former President Clinton. The CNN Time Warner Center is also being evacuated in NYC @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/q5b4cWUTpq
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) October 24, 2018
A device that ended up in the CNN mailroom was sent to its contributor John Brennan, the former CIA director, whose security clearance Donald Trump revoked in August. The devices were described as crude but effective homemade pipe bombs.
A suspicious package was also sent to the office of Democrat congresswomen Maxine Waters.
Nicole Doring says it’s ‘not worth it’ living in this area #TimeWarnerCenter #NewYork pic.twitter.com/wwYmtwEJVN
— Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) October 24, 2018
Florida police have also confirmed that the office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, was evacuated after a suspicious package arrived at her office.
It was reportedly sent to former Obama Attorney-General Eric Holder but ended up at Ms Wasserman Schultz’s office when it was “returned to sender”.
Media reports suggest Ms Wasserman Schultz’s name and address was given as the sender on many of the packages, however she is in no way thought to be the person responsible.
Packages sent to Democrat Congresswoman Kamala Harris and New York’s Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, which were earlier deemed suspicious, were later deemed to be safe.
Gov. Cuomo said at a press conference that people should not be surprised if further bombs turn up.
“This is the world we live in: terrorism, the attempt to spread fear, is the world that we live in,” he said at a press conference.
“Terrorism only works if you let it work. What they are trying to do is to scare us and to destabilise us and we will not let that happen.
“We are New Yorkers, we are smart, we are tough and we are resilient and we will not let these terrorist thugs change the way we live our lives. We will not allow them to win.”
‘AUSTRALIA IS HEADED DOWN SAME PATH’
Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale has warned Australia could be headed down the same path as the US after this morning’s bomb scare.
“Horrifying news from the US this morning. We should be outraged but not surprised,” he wrote on social media.
“When politicians use fearmongering and scare tactics, directed at people in our society, the fringes feel empowered to take matters in their own hands. Sadly Australia is headed down the same path.”
Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor dubbed the bomb scare “heinous behaviour”. “If it were to happen in Australia, we would unify against it and that’s what should happen across the world,” he told Sky News this morning.
He added that it wasn’t the time to discuss whether political rhetoric had encouraged the perpetrator but rather to condemn their behaviour.
TRUMP BREAKS SILENCE ON MAIL BOMBS
President Trump described the attacks as “abhorrent” and issued a “bipartisan” condemnation.
“The safety of the American people is my highest national priority,” he said
First Lady Melania Trump thanked authorities for stopping the attacks.
“We cannot tolerate those cowardly attacks and I strongly condemn all who choose violence,” she said. "I am grateful to the Secret Service and federal law enforcement for all they do on a daily basis to keep us safe, and encourage people across the country to choose kindness over hatred.”
Trump has been criticised for inciting anger towards media and Democrats at a series of campaign-style rallies across the country ahead of the November 6 midterm elections.
Last week he praised Montana congressman Greg Gianforte who was charged with assault for body slamming a reporter, calling him “my kind of guy”.
He is due to speak tonight at a rally in Wisconsin.
Democratic leaders in US Congress have said Trump’s call for unity “ring hollow” because of his past statements condoning acts of violence.
“Time and time again the president has condoned physical activity and divided Americans with his words and his actions,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives top Democrat Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
Trump has also frequently denounced CNN as “fake news” because of its reporting, which is critical of his administration.
CNN chief Jeff Zucker said the Trump administration was partly to blame for the attacks on the broadcaster.
“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” he said in a statement on Twitter.
“The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”
As someone whose family has directly been the victim of these mail threats I condemn whoever did this regardless of party or ideology. This crap has to stop and I hope they end up in jail for a long time. https://t.co/pajRgM4hYm
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 24, 2018
Mr Trump said a “major federal investigation” was already underway and that the government would “spare no resources” in the effort to bring the person or persons responsible to justice.
“We are extremely angry, upset, unhappy about what we witnessed this morning and we will get to the bottom of it,” Mr Trump said.
He called on America to “unify”.
WHO IS BEHIND IT?
While its likely the perpretator is an alt-right Trump supporter, several far-right commentators have sensationally suggested the attack was a secret plot by Democrats to benefit the party amid midterm elections.
Conservative political commentator and American talk show host Rush Limbaugh alluded to the idea the plot was set-up by Democrats, saying they would serve a political “purpose”.
“It’s happening in October,” Limbaugh said.
“There’s a reason for this.
“Republicans just don’t do this kind of thing.
“Even though every event, like mass shootings, remember, every mass shooting there is, the Democrats in the media try to make everybody think right off the bat that some tea partier did it, or some talk radio fan did it, or some Fox News viewer did it. Turns out, it’s never, ever the case.”
Right-wing American radio host Michael Savage straight-up accused the mail bombs as a “set up”.
“It’s a high probability that the whole thing is set up as a false flag to gain sympathy for the Democrats, and to get our minds off the hordes of illegal aliens approaching our southern border.”
John Cardillo, a former New York Police Department officer turned radio host, questioned whether the plot was legit.
“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 wrote on Twitter. He later deleted the tweet.
It is common play for conspiracy theorists to capitalise on these events, especially ahead of an important election.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
An explosive was found on Monday at the compound of billionaire philanthropist, political activist, and Democrat supporter George Soros.
The explosive device, similar to a pipe bomb, was discovered by a housekeeper for Mr Soros. It was detonated by bomb squad officials.
Mr Soros has been denounced by the US president and vilified by right-wing conspiracy theorists.
Republicans recently claimed that the Democrats, or George Soros, may have funded the migrant caravan that is heading toward the US.
At a campaign rally in Montana, Mr Trump said, “a lot of money has been passing to people to come up and try and get to the border by Election Day, because they think that’s a negative for us”.
On Wednesday morning at around 9am (midnight AEDT), another potential bomb was discovered at the New York bureau offices of US network CNN.
Construction and hotel workers in the busy area have been evacuated, road work has stopped and the city watches the chaos unfold #TimeWarnerCenter pic.twitter.com/YUEIFZj0RN
— Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) October 24, 2018
CNN reports that the package was addressed to former CIA director, and CNN contributor John Brennan, at 10 Columbus Circle, which is the address that comes up when you Google CNN.
However, Mr Brennan’s name was spelt incorrectly, with just one ‘n’ in his surname.
This photo obtained by @ABC and confirmed by two law enforcement sources shows the device recovered from @CNN by the NYPD bomb squad. pic.twitter.com/HFzTMSoJXG
— Gio Benitez (@GioBenitez) October 24, 2018
The NYPD intercepted the suspicious package, believed to be another pipe bomb, in the mailroom, which is in the basement of the Time Warner Centre.
The NYPD bomb squad moving the package from CNN offices to a secure location.
— David Videcette (@DavidVidecette) October 24, 2018
First time I’ve seen their Total Containment Vehicle uncovered, normally it’s screened. pic.twitter.com/xXq1XsobTo
As a precaution the NYPD and bomb squad evacuated the building and moved its occupants as far away from the building as possible.
Fire engines and ambulances were stationed nearby and bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in.
Residents were sent an emergency text message alert telling them to shelter in place as parts of Manhattan were placed in lockdown
Bomb squad at Time Warner Centre in New York where CNN is located after suspicious device found. Police advise people to shelter in place pic.twitter.com/TdJ8ZJrvCM
— Mathew Murphy (@MathewMurphy81) October 24, 2018
Scene outside CNN NY HQ right now. #NYPD Bomb squad here. @CNNnewsroom pic.twitter.com/avUVaSKDRu
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) October 24, 2018
Authorities are currently investigating to see if there is a link between the explosive devices and whether they are the work of an anti-liberal serial bomber or bombers.
Top officials are on the scene to get to the bottom of the threat, including John Miller, the Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and counter-terrorism.
New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio said there was no specific threat to other locations in the city at this time.
“Clearly it is an act of terror attempting to undermine the free press and leaders of this country though acts of violence,” he said.
“This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s a time when a lot of people are feeling a lot of hatred.
“The vast majority of New Yorkers are good people trying to live in peace with each other. “There are a few people trying to tear us apart through acts of violence. It is imperative that we ensure they fail. This is a moment in history that is painful but it will pass.”
Walter Rivera, who works in the restaurant in the #TimeWarnerCenter says this is New York but he is a ‘little scared’ and hasn’t seen something like this before pic.twitter.com/YMSlgBV9Uy
— Emma Reynolds (@emmareyn) October 24, 2018
REPUBLICANS DENOUNCE BOMB THREATS
The White House issued a statement condemning the attempted attacks made against Mr Obama and the Clintons.
“These terrorising acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law”, said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards”, she added.
Reports that the Secret Service intercepted a suspicious package sent to White House “are incorrect”.
Vice President Mike Pence said “those responsible will be brought to justice.”
“These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country,” he tweeted.
Mr Trump did not mention the bomb threats until hours after they were made public and then simply supported Mr Pence’s tweet.
I agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, also tweeted her condemnation against the bombs, saying “America is better than this”.
I strongly condemn the attempted acts of violence against President Obama, the Clinton family, @CNN & others. There is no excuse—America is better than this.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 24, 2018
Gratitude to the @SecretService and law enforcement for all they do to keep this nation safe.
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell also condemned the attempted attacks calling them “domestic terrorism”.
I stand with all Americans in condemning today’s attempted acts of domestic terrorism. Americans are united in gratitude for @SecretService, @USPS, and other law enforcement — who protect our leaders and public figures from such unconscionable acts.https://t.co/J2T0BHW069
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) October 24, 2018
WHAT IS A PIPE BOMB
Although they tend to be small, pipe bombs can create enormous damage and are among the devices most commonly intercepted by the bomb squad.
Low explosive materials are packed into pipes, often with other objects such as nails or ballbearings.
The ends are sealed and a fuse is inserted into the device, which can be detonated directly or with a timer.
Retired ATF special agent David Chipman said it was fortunate none of the bombs had exploded.
“This is the real deal, it’s a concern, our country has been attacked,” Mr Chipman told CNN.
“This is a serious thing.”
Investigators will isolate and possibly detonate the devices before forensic examinations which could determine where some of their ingredients were sourced.
Originally published as Explosive devices sent to Clintons, Obama, CNN evacuated after Soros pipe bomb
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