2LT International News

NEW YORK, New York – The White House has condemned the mailing of explosive devices and powder to a number of prominent Americans, including former presidents Obama and Clinton.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has put out a statement via Twitter saying “We condemn the attempted violent acts recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures.”

“These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement said.

“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.”

Later Sanders issued another tweet, saying the White House condemnation “certainly includes threats made to CNN as well as current or former public servants.”

Some commentators noted the recipients of the suspected explosive devices were critics fo U.S. President Donald Trump. GThe president, at the time of writing, had refrained to comment on the developing drama, but shared a tweet by Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence eartlier tweeted: “We condemn the attempted attacks against fmr Pres Obama, the Clintons, @CNN & others.”

President Trump retweeted that post, saying: “I agree wholeheartedly!”

What started with the receipt of a pipe bomb in the mail of billionaire philanthropist George Soros on Tuesday, has now sparked fear across America as a growing list of political and media have been targeted with suspected explosive devices and yet-to-be identified powder.

U.S. President Barack Obama and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to the U.S. Secret Service are among those to receive devices, which were detected by Secret Service technicians who screen mail sent to the U.S. officials.

The Time Warner building in New York has been evacuated after a package addressed to John Brennan, the former CIA director was received at CNN which has its New York operations located in the Time Warner building. The name on the package was misspelt, reading ‘John Brenan.’

CNN president Jeff Zucker confirmed the building’s evacuation.

The suspicious package sent to CNN also contained an envelope containing white powder.

Following the arrival of the package at the Soros residence in New York, a package was received by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, late Tuesday.

Then on Wednesday the Secret Service confirmed a package had been received addressed to Mr. Obama.

“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,” a statement by the Secret Service said.

“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.”

A U.S. official was quoted by the Associated Press saying that a “functional explosive device” was found during a screening of mail sent to the home of Mr and Mrs Clinton in Chappaqua, New York.

“It is a troubling time,” Mrs Clinton said Wednesday. “It is a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together.”

She said she and her husband were fine, “thanks to the Secret Service.”

Clinton’s daughter Chelsea tweeted: “Every day, I am grateful to the women and men of the United States Secret Service. Thank you.”

Mr Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, who himself received a suspicious package at his New York residence earlier this year, tweeted: “As someone whose family has directly been the victim of these mail threats I condemn whoever did this regardless of party or ideology.

“This crap has to stop and I hope they end up in jail for a long time.”