Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were sent potential explosive devices early Wednesday morning, though the packages were intercepted during routine mail screenings.
Later Wednesday, CNN’s New York headquarters were evacuated after New York police found a suspicious package.
According to an NBC report, the package meant for Clinton was found around 1 a.m. near a home in Chappaqua, New York that she and Bill Clinton own.
The potential explosive meant for Obama was addressed to the former President’s residence in Washington, D.C.
Per the Secret Service, “the protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them,” they said, referring to Clinton and Obama.
A U.S. official told the AP that the device sent to the Clintons’ home was a “functional explosive device.”
The White House sent out a statement condemning the attacks.
“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures,” it reads. ‘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.”
CNN initially reported that a similar “suspicious package” was addressed to the White House and intercepted at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC, but the Secret Service has debunked that reporting.
As reported by the New York Times, at least the device sent to the Clintons resembled one sent to billionaire George Soros on Monday, another prominent Democrat.
The explosive meant for Soros was found at a home at Bedford, New York, co-owned by his company. An employee reportedly found that package and moved it away from the house before alerting authorities.
Both the New York FBI bureau and the Secret Service have launched investigations to find the source of the packages.
From the Secret Service:
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service has intercepted two suspicious packages addressed to Secret Service protectees.
Late on October 23, 2018, the Secret Service recovered a single package addressed to Former First Lady Hillary Clinton in Westchester County, New York. Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of Former President Barack Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, DC.
The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such. Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.
The Secret Service has 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.
From the New York FBI:
We are aware of a suspicious package found in the vicinity of the Clinton residence in Chappaqua, NY, and our JTTF has engaged with our federal, state and local partners to investigate. As this is an on-going investigation, we will have no further comment at this time
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) October 24, 2018
