Explosive devices sent to Clintons, Obama, CNN evacuated after Soros pipe bomb

A SERIAL bomber is suspected of sending at least six mail bombs to prominent liberal American figures including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as key Democrat critics of President Donald Trump.

Part of Manhattan in New York was also placed on lockdown as the NYPD bomb squad moved a pipe bomb-style device from CNN’s New York headquarters to detonate it at its Bronx headquarters.

The device was also accompanied by an envelope with white powder.

Former President Bill Clinton was at the family’s Chappaqua, New York, home when a package was intercepted at a Westchester County, New York, facility.

That’s according to a person familiar with his schedule who spoke on condition of anonymity and wasn’t authorised to speak publicly.

“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.”

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.”

“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.

A similar device was intercepted en route to Mr Obama’s Washington DC home.

The Obamas have yet to comment on the incident.

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 home-made pipe bombs.

A suspicious package was also sent to the office of Democrat congresswomen Maxine Waters.

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.”

The one thing all the targets have in common is that they have been frequent critics of Mr Trump and have been attacked by the US president.

Mr 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 bodyslamming a reporter, calling him “my kind of guy”.

He is due to speak tonight at a rally in Wisconsin.

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.”

First Lady Melania Trump stood alongside her husband at an event about opiod abuse but started but briefly condemning 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.”

Mr Trump spoke after his wife and issued a “bipartisan” condemnation.

“The safety of the American people is my highest national priority,” he said.

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”.

It comes after 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Counterterrorism.

Mr Trump has frequently denounced CNN as “fake news” because of its reporting, which is critical of his administration.

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.


Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, also tweeted her condemnation against the bombs, saying “America is better than this”.


Sentate Leader Mitch McConnell also condemned the attempted attacks calling them “domestic terrorism”.

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.