Mail bombs target the Clintons and Obama days after Soros scare
Mail bombs intercepted at ex-president Barack Obama’s office and home of former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. A similar device was sent to billionaire George Soros earlier.
The Secret Service said bombs sent to the Clintons in Westchester County, New York and Obama in Washington, DC were intercepted during a routine mail check.
“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 Wednesday. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”
BREAKING: Secret Service intercepts suspicious packages addressed to the residences of former President Obama and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Working with our law enforcement partners on the investigation. Our Statement: https://t.co/lJdTn04KmI
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) October 24, 2018
Earlier, US media reports said a bomb was found in mail delivered to the house of Bill and Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, upstate New York. The device was reportedly similar to the one sent to billionaire George Soros’ home in the same county, which was found on Monday.
Nick Merrill, Hillary Clinton’s Communications Director, tweeted that “nothing got to any home”, which apparently explains the contradicting reports about where the package intended for the Clinton’s home was stopped.
This is incorrect. Nothing got to any home. Please inquire with the US Secret Service and correct this immediately. https://t.co/m6fh73YiT1
— Nick Merrill (@NickMerrill) October 24, 2018
Also on Wednesday, the CNN newsroom in New York was evacuated due to a suspicious package, which turned out to contain a pipe bomb. It was not immediately clear whether this incident was linked with those involving Obama and the Clintons.
There were also conflicting reports about an intercepted bomb sent to the White House. The Secret Service later clarified that it had intercepted only two bombs and that there were none to the White House.
READ MORE: Mailbomb blitz: Packages sent to Obama, Soros, CNN, Clintons & others
The White House condemned the “attempted violent attacks” against public figures, branding such actions “despicable.” It said those responsible will be held accountable.
**NEW: The White House response to suspicious packages.... pic.twitter.com/mSpHy0mGPo
— Patrick Hussion (@PatrickHussion) October 24, 2018
In Soros’ case, an employee noticed the package and called police, who alerted federal law enforcement. Investigators discovered a pipe bomb inside the package and detonated it as a precaution.
READ MORE: Explosive device found near Soros' NY home – report
Chappaqua is approximately 20 minutes from Bedford, the town where Soros’ home is located. Both locations are approximately one hour outside of New York City.
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