U.S. Officials, Social Media Respond To Discovery Of Explosive Devices

The United States Secret Service intercepted “possible explosive devices” addressed to former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton Wednesday, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Officials said neither package would have reached its intended target due to the screening process.

Also Wednesday, the CNN offices in New York City were evacuated because of a suspicious package.

A U.S. official told the AP that the explosive discovered near the Clintons’ home in New York state is believed to be linked to one found earlier this week at the home of billionaire George Soros.

U.S. officials immediately began condemning the acts, beginning with White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she wrote in a statement. “The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.”

Statement on suspicious packages: pic.twitter.com/pYSbDvCvuk

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) October 24, 2018

Vice President Mike Pence also tweeted that “These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country.”

We condemn the attempted attacks against fmr Pres Obama, the Clintons, @CNN & others. These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country. Grateful for swift response of @SecretService, @FBI & local law enforcement. Those responsible will be brought to justice.

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 24, 2018

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan condemned the attempted attacks, tweeting that the acts were “reprehensible.”

Those behind such reprehensible acts must be brought to justice. We cannot tolerate any attempt to terrorize public figures. I am grateful to the @SecretService, Capitol Police, and all law enforcement who guard against these threats. https://t.co/HUQQxynU9h

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 24, 2018

President Donald Trump retweeted Pence, writing, “I agree wholeheartedly!”

I agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vU

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018

Other social media users began weighing in.

Many drew attention to the president’s claims of terrorists among a caravan of asylum-seekers

So far, pipe bombs have been sent to the homes of George Soros, the Clintons, and the Obamas.

The dangerous people aren’t coming to the border. The dangerous people are already here.

— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) October 24, 2018

Pipes bombs were sent to the Obamas and the Clintons and all that Fox News seems to be concerned about is a caravan of good people fleeing famine and death.

There are no terrorists in the Caravan. The terrorists we should be scared of are the ones at home idolizing our president

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 24, 2018

The president is spreading what he now admits are made-up theories about dangerous Middle Easterners migrating through southern Mexico.
Meanwhile, actual violent threats are being made against those the president has designated as his enemies: CNN, George Soros, the Clintons.

— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) October 24, 2018

Others noted Trump’s ongoing dispute with CNN and his constant denouncements of Hillary Clinton

Pipes bombs were sent to the Obamas and the Clintons and all that Fox News seems to be concerned about is a caravan of good people fleeing famine and death.

There are no terrorists in the Caravan. The terrorists we should be scared of are the ones at home idolizing our president

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 24, 2018

A bomb sent to the Clintons.

A bomb sent to the Obamas.

A bomb sent to George Soros.

A bomb sent to Time Warner Center (CNN).

Each target has been vilified by the right for years and all have been called enemies by the sitting President of the United States.

— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) October 24, 2018

Others used the opportunity to bring up recent headline-making protests

Calm down, everyone. Someone just sent a bomb to the Clintons, the Obamas, and George Soros, it’s not like they did anything violent like yell at them in an elevator or ask them to leave a restaurant.

— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) October 24, 2018

The explosive devices sent to George Soros, the Clintons and the Obamas are false flags to distract from the people ruining Republican senators’ dinners

— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) October 24, 2018

And Twitter users were quick to point out alleged hypocrisy by those calling for civility

Last night you said your opponent should share a jail cell with Hillary Clinton. https://t.co/sSl4zGejvh

— Adam Jentleson 🎈 (@AJentleson) October 24, 2018

Your Dad:

Advocates violence at rallies
Calls the press the enemy of the people
Praised a Montana congressman for assault
Calls Democrats and angry mob
Blames misfortunes on Obama and Clinton

Oh, look, Soros, Obama, Clinton, CNN & Wasserman Schultz receive suspicious packages.

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) October 24, 2018

https://t.co/2RhkT6E0i8

— Angela VOTE ON NOV 6TH (@AdavisWilliams) October 24, 2018

All of the targets have been vilified by you at rallies. You cannot have it both ways. You share responsibility. Time for you to act in civil fashion and start being Presidential. Whoever did this is likely a proud “nationalist”.

— Artfull Duderino (@dodgr007) October 24, 2018

As of Wednesday morning, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said his office received a suspicious device, as did the office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. No one had been harmed by the explosive devices.