Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/REX/Shutterstock
During a press conference at the White House on Wednesday,President Donald Trumpand First LadyMelania Trumpcondemned thepipe bombs sent to multiple Democratic political figuresand CNN headquarters this week.
Taking the podium first, Mrs. Trump addressed the “suspicious packages” mailed to the Time Warner Center in New York City, where CNN is based; former President Obama’s office in Washington, D.C.; and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s office in a New York-suburb, among others.
“We cannot tolerate these cowardly attacks, and I strongly condemn all who choose violence,” she said. “I’m grateful to the Secret Service as well as the the local and federal law enforcement for all they do on a daily basis to keep us safe, and encourage people across the country to choose kindness over hatred.”
After asserting that “the safety of the American people is my highest and absolute priority,” and that “the full weight of our government is being deployed” to investigate the “despicable acts,” he called for togetherness.
“I just want to tell you that in these times we have to unify,” he said. “We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
Evan Vucci/AP/REX/Shutterstock
As the audience gave him a standing ovation, he continued, “This egregious conduct is abhorrent to everything we hold dear and sacred as Americans… We are extremely angry [and] upset… We will get to the bottom of it.”
Many on Twitter criticized his call for unity, pointing to the president’s often “dangerous rhetoric” about his Democratic opponents and members of the media.
Earlier in the day, Trump came under fire for acknowledging the attacks, which began on Monday, with only a single tweet. After Vice President Mike Pence called the bomb threats “cowardly” and despicable,” Trump simply responded, “I agree wholeheartedly!”
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them. The Secret Service has initiated a full scope criminal investigation that will leverage all available federal, state, and local resources to determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement criticizing the attacks.
Also on Wednesday, the NYPD responded to a suspicious device discovered in CNN’s offices,the outlet reported, citing a law enforcement source. The device, which was reportedly made from a pipe and wires, was discovered in the mailroom of Time Warner Center, according to CNN. Law enforcement authorities are treating the device as a real explosive, CNN said.
RELATED VIDEO: Former FBI Agent Breaks Down Live on CNN After Shooting at Florida High School Leaves 17 Dead
Another suspicious package arrived at the Sunrise, Florida, offices of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic rep for Florida’s 23 congressional district.According to a local NBC affiliate, a Broward Sheriff’s Office bomb squad unit and firefighters responded to the threat and FBI agents also investigated the scene.
The package in question was actually intended for former Attorney General Eric Holder, but the address was incorrect so it was sent to Wasserman Schultz. Her Florida office address was the return address on all the packages,NBC News reported.
At a congressional mail facility in Maryland, Capitol Police also intercepted a package addressed to Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters, according to ABC News’ Tara Palmeri. Police bomb techs investigated the scene.
No injuries have been reported as a result of any of the attempted bombings.
source: people.com
