Update VIII: President Trump has vowed to “get to the bottom” of whoever sent out the flurry of pipe bombs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here are a few lingering updates to close out before we hear more from investigators Wednesday evening.
According to the New York Times, the package that was intercepted by Capitol Hill’s mail screeners was intended for Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters. As media reports have widely confirmed, a photo of the bomb that was sent to CNN clearly displays a taped-on ISIS flag.
Lolz I’m sure the cops put an isis flag in the pipe bomb too pic.twitter.com/jl5Lay0A0l
— TheNicestGuyYouKnow (@GuyNicest) October 24, 2018
The bomb delivered to Soros was hand delivered, while the bomb that ended up in CNN’s offices was sent via courier service. It wasn’t immediately clear how the other bomb packages were delivered. While Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a suspicious package had been discovered at his office, it was reportedly unrelated. One law enforcement official said the bombs sent to CNN, the Clintons, Soros and Obama were similar: “Same package. Same device.” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said the bomb sent to CNN was a “live explosive device” and that it would be disabled and sent to the FBI for examination.
Here’s a description from the Times.
That device was constructed from a length of pipe a little longer than six inches and wrapped in black tape with what appeared to be epoxy on the ends, according to a person who had seen a photograph of it. What could be a timer was attached to the side of the pipe and wires were visible at both ends. Like the bomb sent to Mr. Soros’s home, the envelope it arrived in was roughly 5-by-8 inches and had a printed white address label and half a dozen first-class postage stamps affixed to the outside.
Aside from the package sent to CNN via courier, another package reportedly had more postage than it needed, suggesting that the sender wanted to avoid going to the post office in person and buying the proper postage.
One of the envelopes sent out had several stamps on it, more postage than it needed to be delivered, according to a former law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The extra postage led investigators to believe that the person who mailed it wanted to avoid going to a post office to buy the correct postage – a step to evade detection, the official said.
It’s also notable that these mail bomb scares followed another scare earlier this month when envelopes that tested positive for the poison ricin were intercepted after being addressed to President Trump and at least two top DoD officials.
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Update VII: The Capitol Police bomb squad is on the scene after at least one suspicious package was intercepted at a Congressional mail sorting facility in Maryland, ABC reported. Meanwhile, the NYPD is saying that the package sent to CNN appears to be linked to the packages sent to the Obamas, Clintons and Soros.
A photo of the pipe bomb sent to CNN has surfaced:
JUST IN: Law enforcement sources tell @ABC U.S. Capitol Police are investigating at least one suspicious package containing possible device that was intercepted at Congressional mail sorting facility in Maryland.
Capitol Police bomb squad is on the scene. https://t.co/U4rVcvGxWW
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2018
Another ‘suspicious package’ was also reportedly sent to Andrew Cuomo’s office.
NEW: A device was sent to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office in New York City, he says.
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) October 24, 2018
If you’ve lost track of all the ‘bomb-type devices’, ‘suspicious packages’ and straight-up pipe bombs that have been intercepted during this mass mail bombing, here’s a quick rundown of where we’re at:
BREAKING: a SEVENTH device appears to have been sent to the Congressional mail facility. 1. Soros 2. Clinton 3. Obama 4. CNN 5. Holder. 6. Cuomo 7. Congressional Mail Facility (possible)
— Janet Dailey (@JanetWarmwind) October 24, 2018
Video of a New York bomb squad moving the device found in the Time Warner Building has surfaced on social media.
A bomb-containment unit moved the suspicious package found in the Time Warner Center, New York home of CNN, to a facility outside of New York City.
Authorities say the package “appeared to be a live explosive device.” https://t.co/BlRhZK8nbJ pic.twitter.com/AYZikATDy3
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2018
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Update VI: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a Wednesday press conference that the pipe bomb sent to CNN’s New York office was “clearly an act of terror.”
NYPD commissioner James O’Neill said police found an envelope of white powder along with the bomb at the Time Warner building. “We’ve seen this before. We’ve seen worse. We will not be intimidated,” he said. Federal agents are currently testing the envelope.
De Blasio said the package sent to CNN was an attack on the free press.
“This clearly is an act of terror, an attempt to undermine our free press, De Blasio said. “This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s a time when people are feeling a lot of hatred in the air,” de Blasio says. “Incidents like this exacerbate that pain.”
Watch a clip from de Blasio’s remarks below:
Mayor Bill de Blasio: “This is a very painful time in our nation. It’s a time when people are feeling a lot of hatred in the air. Incidents like this exacerbate that pain and exacerbate that fear. We cannot let the acts of a very few change who we are.” https://t.co/KgAu4w874O pic.twitter.com/ZdV7atOPJb
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 24, 2018
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said “we wouldn’t be surprised” if additional packages were sent out.
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Update V: Speaking at an event in Florida, Hillary Clinton said that, while she and her family are “fine” thanks to hardworking Secret Service agents, she’s worried about the “deep divisions” across the US.
“Many of you and others across our country have asked after me and my family and I’m very grateful for that. We are fine thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service who intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made its way to our home.”
“It is a troubling time, isn’t it? It’s a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together.”
Hillary Clinton speaks after explosive device addressed to her home was intercepted.
“It’s a 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 try to do the same.” https://t.co/ho9yvpT1w6 pic.twitter.com/J7siDzn3xP
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2018
Hillary Clinton speaks after explosive device was sent to her New York home: “We are fine thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service…Every day we are grateful for their service and commitment, and obviously never more than today.” https://t.co/BavP2x70H9 pic.twitter.com/Yz80prqBge
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2018
Meanwhile, CNN is reporting that the ATF is on the scene in New York, Washington and Florida.
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive are on scene Wednesday at the site of the multiple suspicious packages.
They responding to packages mailed to officials in DC, and are at the Time Warner Center in New York and the office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Sunrise, Florida, ATF spokesperson April Langwell said.
They were also in New York at George Soros’ home Tuesday, she said.
CNN is also reporting that the suspicious package discovered at Wasserman Schultz’s office had been addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder. It was returned to Schultz’s office because – like the packages sent to CNN, the Clintons, Obamas and Soros – it had her name listed on the return address.
A suspicious package was sent to Eric Holder but it had the wrong address and was returned to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office in Florida because that was the return label on the package, according to two law enforcement sources.
The same return address was used for the Clinton and Obama suspicious packages.
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Update IV: President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence both condemned the attempting bombings, with Pence saying these “despicable” acts have “no place in our country” and Trump adding that he agreed “wholeheartedly.”
I agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted a White House statement on the attacks and said the White House was monitoring the situation.
This is an ongoing situation that President Trump and his admin are monitoring closely. Our condemnation of these dispicable acts certainly includes threats made to CNN as well as current or former public servants. These cowardly acts are unacceptable and wont be tolerated. https://t.co/YbMbCUWMPC
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) October 24, 2018
First Lady Melania Trump has also issued a statement, according to her spokeswoman.
“Mrs. Trump condemns all forms of threats and violence, and thanks law enforcement for their heroic efforts.”
The suspicious package, which was being treated as a real explosive by law enforcement, has reportedly been removed from the building.
CNN also reported that San Diego Police have cleared a section of Sixth Avenue near the offices of the San Diego Union Tribune and the state office of Sen. Kamala Harris.
San Diego Police are currently investigating a suspicious package and have closed off a section of 6th Avenue where the San Diego Union-Tribune is located, according to Officer Billy Hernandez.
The building that was evacuated houses the San Diego Union-Tribune, Senator Kamala Harris’ field office, and other offices this morning.
It is not clear where the packages were to be delivered. One U-T staffer also noted that a bicycle pump looking device was near the boxes.
A spokesperson for Kamala Harris said the suspicious package wasn’t addressed to her, though their offices were evacuated.
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Update III: The Mayors office and the NYPD will hold a press briefing at 12:45 pm ET to share more information about the suspected pipe bomb that was sent to the offices of CNN on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, more details are starting to emerge. The bomb was delivered in a package addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen is monitoring the situation. As a precaution, police have been sent to media outlets across NY.
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Update II: So much for ‘under control’…
The NYPD has issued an ’emergency alert’ for the area around Columbus circle after a pipe bomb was found to have been sent to the offices of CNN earlier Thursday morning. According to CNN, the suspicious device is about to be removed from the cable news channel’s offices in the Time Warner Building.
Kate Bolduan just reported that New Yorkers got an emergency text message from NYPD about the CNN bomb, telling them to “shelter in place immediately.” pic.twitter.com/JZSBzhpnxo
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) October 24, 2018
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Update: Police say the situation at the Time Warner Center is under control.
Here’s more from CNN:
The device sent to Time Warner Center was constructed with a pipe and wires, according to an NYPD source. Law enforcement authorities are treating the device as a real explosive.
The device was discovered in the mailroom of Time Warner Center.
The evacuation at Time Warner Center includes WarnerMedia corporate offices and the offices for other Turner channels like TNT. It also includes the mall and the Whole Foods in the basement.
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The Time Warner Center, located in New York City’s Columbus Circle, has been evacuated, interrupting a broadcast by CNN.
WATCH: Alarm goes off on the air as CNN’s New York bureau is evacuated because of a suspicious package pic.twitter.com/4TGuoz1C5R
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 24, 2018
CNN has had to move its broadcast to DC because its Time Warner building in NYC has been evacuated
— Sam Stein (@samstein) October 24, 2018
We are being evacuated right now at time warner center in NYC. Striking scene as alarm went off as @jimsciutto and @PoppyHarlowCNN were on air.
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 24, 2018
One CNN employee said she wasn’t allowed to grab her coat or belongings and was told to immediately head to the staircase.
Everyone at CNN NY being evacuated. Swarms of NYPD outside — I wasn’t allowed to grab a coat or any of my belongings — told to immediately go to staircase pic.twitter.com/rtcAoKS6y9
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) October 24, 2018
A suspicious package was cited as the reason for the evacuation. A bomb squad is reportedly on the scene to investigate. It’s notable that the Secret Service intercepted possible bombs sent the Clintons and the Obamas on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Source: www.zerohedge.com