De Niro is the latest target of pipe bombs posted to Democrats

THE US mail bomb scare has widened as police seized three more suspicious packages — two addressed to former vice president Joe Biden and one to actor Robert De Niro.

Officers said the items were similar to crude pipe bombs sent to former president Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and CNN.

None of the devices exploded but the packages — sent to prominent Democrats critical of President Donald Trump — heightened nationwide tensions two weeks before congressional mid-term elections.

As everyone condemned the unknown sender and Mr Trump decried political violence, blame flew for the corrosive nature of America’s political debate.

“A very big part of the anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the mainstream media that I re- fer to as fake news,” Mr Trump said in a morning tweet. “It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream media must clean up its act, FAST!”

Former CIA director John Brennan, the target of one package sent to CNN, where he has been a contributor, fired back.

“Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror,” Mr Brennan tweeted. “Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act .... try to act Presidential.”

Police said the package addressed to De Niro (left), who insulted Mr Trump at this year’s Tony Awards, was similar to other pipe bombs found this week. De Niro also apologised to Canadians for the “idiotic behaviour of my president”. Mr Biden has criticised Mr Trump, saying he may not “know what he’s doing” and coddles dictators.

A law enforcement official said the packages addressed to Mr Biden were intercepted at Delaware mail facilities and were similar to the others.

Recovery of the packages to Mr Biden and De Niro came after others were received by prominent Democrats and CNN.

The first to be found was delivered on Monday to the suburban New York compound of George Soros, a liberal billionaire and major contributor to Democratic causes. Mr Soros has called Mr Trump’s presidency “dangerous”.

Similar packages were addressed to Hillary Clinton and former president Barack Obama. The Secret Service said neither package reached their targets.

A police bomb squad removed the package addressed to Mr Brennan from CNN’s New York office, which was evacuated.

The bombs seized each had a small battery, were about six inches long and packed with powder and broken glass, said a law enforcement official who viewed X-ray images.

The official said the devices were made from PVC pipe and covered with black tape.