US authorities have detained a man in connection with the mail bombs scare that has widened to 12 suspicious packages, officials said.
Three law enforcement officials identified the man as Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Aventura, Florida.
The van had several stickers on the windows, including American flags.
The discoveries further spurred a coast-to-coast investigation as officials scramble to locate a culprit and possible motive amid questions about whether new packages were being sent or were simply surfacing after a period in the mail system.
Mr Trump said later that the suspect will be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law”, and added: “We must never allow political violence to take root in America.”
Attorney general Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department was dedicating every available resource to the investigation, “and I can tell you this: we will find the person or persons responsible. We will bring them to justice”.
Mr Trump, on the other hand, earlier complained that “this ‘bomb’ stuff” was taking attention away from upcoming elections and claimed critics were wrongly blaming him and his heated rhetoric.
Law enforcement officials said the devices, containing timers and batteries, were not rigged to explode on opening, but they were uncertain whether the devices were poorly designed or never intended to cause physical harm.
Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen acknowledged that some of packages originated in Florida. One official said investigators homed in on a postal facility in Opa-locka, where they believe some packages originated.
The package addressed to Mr Booker was found during an oversight search of that facility, according to a law enforcement official.
Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows – news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018
Most of those targeted were past or present US officials, but others were sent to actor Robert De Niro and billionaire George Soros.
The bombs have been sent across the country – from New York, Delaware and Washington DC to Florida and California, where Democratic representative Maxine Waters was targeted.
They bore the return address of Florida representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
The common thread among the targets was obvious: their critical words for Mr Trump and his frequent criticism in return.
The package to Mr Clapper was addressed to him at CNN’s Manhattan address. The frequent Trump critic told CNN he was not surprised to be targeted and that he considered the actions “definitely domestic terrorism”.
The devices were packaged in manila envelopes and carried US postage stamps. They are being examined by technicians at the FBI’s forensic lab in Quantico, Virginia.
Mr Trump, in a tweet on Thursday, blamed the “Mainstream Media” for the anger in society. Mr Brennan responded, tweeting that the president should “stop blaming others. Look in the mirror”.
Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act….try to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence. https://t.co/cS5qNiuU7o
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) October 25, 2018
The bombs are about 6in long and packed with powder and broken glass, according to a law enforcement official who viewed X-ray images. The official said the devices were made from PVC pipe and covered with black tape.
The first bomb discovered was delivered on Monday to the suburban New York compound of Mr Soros, a major contributor to Democratic causes, who has called Mr Trump’s presidency “dangerous”.
