‘This clearly is an act of terror’

WASHINGTON — Authorities said Wednesday that they had intercepted packages containing homemade explosive devices addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York and former President Barack Obama in Washington, while another bomb was discovered at CNN’s offices in Manhattan.

The string of explosive devices and suspicious packages in Washington, New York and Florida — sent to public officials, former presidents and a cable news network in what politicians called attempted terror attacks — prompted bi-

partisan condemnation and set off spasms of unease across the country, as security and law enforcement officers rushed to scour incoming mail for other potential undiscovered bombs.

The bombs and suspicious packages were located after an explosive device was found this week in a mailbox at the Bedford, N.Y., home of George Soros, the liberal philanthropist who is a frequent target of criticism from far-right groups.

The devices sent to Clinton and Obama were found during screenings away from their homes and did not make it to them, officials said.

“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the Secret Service said in a statement Wednesday. “The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them.”

In New York, what “appeared to be a live explosive device” was located in the CNN mailroom, said James O’Neill, the New York City police commissioner. O’Neill said the device has been removed from the CNN offices. He also said the package contained an envelope with white powder, which investigators took for testing.

CNN’s offices were evacuated for several hours Wednesday before reopening later in the afternoon. The device sent to CNN was addressed to John Brennan, the former CIA director and frequent critic of President Donald Trump, according to a law enforcement official. Brennan is an analyst on MSNBC and NBC News, rather than CNN.

Officials have said the devices sent to Obama, Clinton and CNN appeared to be the work of the same individual.

John Miller, the New York police deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, said his office was notified by the Secret Service that the packages sent to Clinton and Obama were “nearly identical.”

“The devices have been what appear to be pipe bombs,” he said.

Trump on Wednesday decried the bombs, saying that “the packages are being inspected by top explosives experts.”

Trump, pledging that the federal government would investigate and bring those responsible to justice, offered a condemnation of political violence.

“In these times, we have to unify,” he said. “We have to come together and send one very clear, strong and unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., released a statement “condemning today’s attempted acts of domestic terrorism.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio used similar language.

“This clearly is an act of terror, attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence,” he said.

CNN This suspected bomb was addressed to ex-CIA chief John Brennan at CNN. He’s an analyst at MSNBC and NBC News.

RICHARD DREW/AP Police arrive at CNN’s offices, where employees were evacuated, in New York City.