Explosive devices sent to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other Democrats

Unidentified white powder sent in envelope to Time Warner building in New York

CBC News · Posted: Oct 24, 2018 9:56 AM ET | Last Updated: 2 hours ago



A police bomb sniffing dog is deployed outside of the Time Warner Center after an explosive device was found this morning in New York City. CNN's office at the centre was evacuated after a package arrived that was similar to suspicious packages found near the homes of Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Obamas and billionaire philanthropist George Soros. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)


A major investigation is underway after suspicious packages addressed to former U.S. president Barack Obama and two-time presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, CNN and other individuals were intercepted.
The Secret Service characterized the packages sent to Obama and Clinton as "potential explosive devices."

There were no explosions and no reports of injuries, and the packages overall appeared to target prominent Democrats, as well as the news network most often criticized by hard-right conservatives.
The packages landed as often heated midterm election campaigns are occurring around the country. The Nov. 6 midterms have the potential to change the composition of the Senate and House of Representatives in the final two years of the term of President Donald Trump, who has often derided the Democrats and characterized CNN reporting as "fake news."

Packages 'immediately identified'

The FBI, which is investigating alongside partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, said the suspicious packages it has identified as of Wednesday were sent to:

• George Soros, a wealthy philanthropist and prominent Democratic donor. 
  
• Hillary Clinton, former Democratic presidential nominee and secretary of state. 
  
• Former president Barack Obama.
  
• Former CIA director John Brennan, via CNN's New York office. 
  
• Former attorney general Eric Holder, who served under Obama. The package addressed to Holder didn't make it to his office, and was instead rerouted to a fake return address.
  

​The FBI said the packages were mailed in manila envelopes with a bubble wrap interior.
"The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps," the FBI said. "All packages had a return address of DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ in Florida."



The FBI says it's possible that more packages were mailed and is urging the public not to handle any suspicious packages. (FBI)
The packages were intercepted or uncovered over a period of days. On Monday, an explosive device was found in a mailbox at the suburban New York home of Soros, the liberal billionaire who has been denounced by the president and vilified by right-wing conspiracy theorists.
A Soros employee alerted authorities of the package, which they left in a wooded area near the home. A pipe bomb was later detonated, authorities said.


The Secret Service said the package addressed to Clinton was flagged as suspicious late Tuesday in Westchester County, N.Y. Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, have a residence in Chappaqua, N.Y.
A second package, addressed to the Washington, D.C., residence of Obama, was intercepted on Wednesday morning.
"The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such," the Secret Service said.