Explosive devices, similar to the type sent to democratic philanthropist George Soros on Monday, were mailed to former US President Barack Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.CNN reported that a similar package was also sent to the White House. A source told Reuters that no such package was sent to the White House.
The Time Warner Center in New York, where CNN is headquartered, has also been evacuated after a suspicious package was discovered in the CNN mail room. NYPD cannot confirm if this package is related.According to CNN, the New York Police Department has the situation under control.
Scene outside CNN NY HQ right now. #NYPD Bomb squad here. @CNNnewsroom pic.twitter.com/avUVaSKDRu
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) October 24, 2018
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the Secret Service said to the New York Times about the packages sent to Obama and Clinton. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
A technician who screens mail for Clinton's office found a package on Tuesday addressed to her home in Westchester County, NY. The Secret Service intercepted a package addressed to Obama's Washington D.C. office on Wednesday.President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation.
According to the statement, the Secret Service "initiated a full scope criminal investigation that will leverage all available federal, state, and local resources to determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible.”
"We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. "These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. 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."#BREAKING : CNN is reporting that the Time Warner Center in New York City, where #CNN broadcasts many of its shows, has been #evacuated. Pics via @mj_lee pic.twitter.com/FuGmy0FeCD
— حسن سجواني Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) October 24, 2018
Soros received a similar package containing a pipe bomb. He is commonly targeted by right-wing conspiracy groups and has been falsely accused of funding the caravan of Honduran migrants currently moving through Mexico.