UPDATE — A suspicious package at the Manhattan office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wednesday was not an explosive device, according to the NYPD. Two actual devices addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama were intercepted by the Secret Service on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to news reports, the return address on the packages named Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, as the sender.
President Donald Trump said a “major federal investigation” is underway. Trump said the full weight of the government is behind the investigation and no resources or expense will be spared.
“In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together,” he said.
Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said, “A preliminary investigation on the package at Governor Cuomo’s office shows it is computer files on the hate group, The Proud Boys, who recently appeared in New York.”
CHAPPAQUA, NY — Packages described as potential explosives addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama were intercepted by the United States Secret Service, the agency said in a statement. The White House called the attempted attacks “despicable.”
The package sent to the Clintons was the second explosive device found in Westchester this week — one was sent to the Katonah, NY home of philanthropist George Soros, a frequent target of the far-right who was recently accused by President Donald Trump of funding the caravan of Hondurans walking toward the United States.
SEE: Device Left At Soros Home Had Bomb Components
A U.S. official says a “functional explosive device” was found at Hillary and Bill Clinton’s suburban New York home. The official says investigators believe the explosive is linked to one found Monday at the compound of liberal billionaire George Soros.
According to the USSS, a single package addressed to Clinton at her Westchester County home was recovered late Tuesday. The package addressed to Obama’s Washington D.C. home was intercepted early Wednesday, according to the USSS.
The Secret Service issued a statement:
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.
The White House responded with concern.
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“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “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.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle condemned the packages.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey of Westchester issued the following statement after the discovery of explosive devices sent to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and philanthropist George Soros:
“We condemn these attempted attacks and are grateful that the packages were successfully intercepted. My staff and I have been in contact with local elected officials, law enforcement, and the FBI, and we will closely follow the investigation.”
A law enforcement official not authorized to speak publicly on the situation told Patch all the devices appear similar… like pipe bombs. “not fancy but definitely functional.” There is active concern that there could be others out there as yet undiscovered.
New Castle police officials said the IED was discovered around 1 a.m. Wednesday, New York 1 reported. Police issued a statement:
This morning the New Castle Police Department assisted the FBI, Secret Service, and the Westchester County Police with the investigation of a suspicious package. The matter is currently under federal investigation.
The Clintons’ compound is on Old House Road in the leafy New York City suburb of Chappaqua. The Clintons own two properties on the secluded cul-de-sac. Where they live is a 5,232 sq.ft. two-story wood house with 5 beds and 4 baths with a lot size of 1.1 acres, according to realtor.com. They snapped up the house next door when it came on the market, ostensibly as a weekend retreat for daughter Chelsea and family.
CNN initially reported that a suspicious package containing a pipe bomb addressed to the White House was intercepted at Joint Base Bolling in Washington D.C. However, the news channel later reported that the Secret Service did not intercept a package intended for the White House.
Also on Wednesday, The Time Warner Center in New York City, where the CNN offices are located, was evacuted as authorities investigate a suspicious package.
Photo by ERIK C. PENDZICH/REX/Shutterstock
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