The US Secret Service has intercepted a bomb that was addressed to Hillary Clinton and also discovered a possible explosive that was sent to former president Barack Obama.
A US official told The Associated Press that investigators believe the explosive that was discovered near the Clintons’ home in Chappaqua, New York, is linked to one found on Monday at the compound of billionaire philantrhopist George Soros.
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
The official said one of the packages had the return address of US representative Deborah Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
The package addressed to Mr Obama was intercepted on Wednesday by Secret Service agents in Washington.
Neither Mrs Clinton nor Mr Obama received the packages, and neither was at risk of receiving them because of screening procedures, the Secret Service said.
Press secretary Sarah Sanders said: “These terrorising acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Mrs Clinton was attending campaign events for Democrats in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday and was not at the family’s New York residence at the time.
She is headlining a fundraising reception on Wednesday for former health and human services secretary Donna Shalala, who is running for Congress in South Florida.
Mr Clinton was at the family’s Chappaqua home at the time the package was intercepted at a Westchester County facility. The device was screened at the facility — not in proximity to their residence — and never reached the Clintons’ home.
The Secret Service said media reports that it has intercepted a suspicious package bound for the White House are incorrect.
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
The agency tasked with protecting the president and other dignitaries says it has intercepted two packages in Washington and New York. The packages were respectively addressed to the residences of Mr Obama in Washington and Mrs Clinton in Chappaqua.
Vice president Mike Pence tweeted: “These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country.”
He thanked law enforcement and added: “Those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Law enforcement officials said the CNN bomb was crude but operational and was addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, a CNN contributor.
