Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reacted to the suspicious package sent to her house in New York Wednesday, thanking the U.S. Secret Service and calling out the environment of "deep divisions" framing the attempts.
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Add Devices Sent to Officials and Others as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Devices Sent to Officials and Others news, video, and analysis from ABC News."We are fine thanks to the men and women of the Secret Service who intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made our way to our home," Clinton said, speaking at a campaign event in Florida for congressional candidate Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet official under President Bill Clinton.
"Every day we are grateful for their commitment, and obviously never more than today, but it is a troubling time isn't it? And its a time of deep divisions, and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together," Clinton said.
Her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, tweeted her gratitude for the Secret Service earlier Wednesday.
Every day, I am grateful to the women and men of the United States Secret Service. Thank you.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) October 24, 2018
The suspicious packages sent to CNN in New York and the homes of the nation's most powerful Democrats, former President Barack Obama and the Clintons, prompted swift condemnation from the White House and congressional leaders.
The preliminary belief is that all three devices are of similar pipe-bomb-style construction. Suspicious packages were also sent to former Attorney General Eric Holder and Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California. The package sent to CNN was addressed to former CNN Director John Brennan. A pipe bomb was also found earlier this week in the home mailbox of billionaire George Soros, who has a house in a town near the Clintons in New York.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., issued a statement "condemning any and all acts of violence and terror" after learning she had been one of the targets of the suspicious packages.
"I have been informed by U.S. Capitol Police that my Washington, DC office was the target of a suspicious package that has been referred to the FBI. I am appreciative of the law enforcement entities who intercepted the package and are investigating this matter. I unequivocally condemn any and all acts of violence and terror," Waters' statement read.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the suspicious packages sent to Clinton and Obama Wednesday morning before other reports surfaced, including that a package was also delivered to CNN. The White House forcefully denounced the "attempted violent attacks."
“We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.”
Kevin Coombs/Reuters
Sanders followed up with an update after packages were found at CNN in New York: "This is an ongoing situation that President Trump and his admin are monitoring closely. Our condemnation of these dispicable acts certainly includes threats made to CNN as well as current or former public servants. These cowardly acts are unacceptable and wont be tolerated," she tweeted.
Vice President Mike Pence called the attempts "cowardly" and "despicable." Trump retweeted Pence's statement on Twitter, adding "I agree wholeheartedly!"
I agree wholeheartedly! https://t.co/ndzu0A30vU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 24, 2018
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi released a joint statement after listening to the president's remarks at a White House event acknowledging the progression on the fight against the opioid epidemic.
"We listened with great interest to the President's remarks this afternoon. We all take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and protect the American people, and that is our first responsibility," the joint statement read.
Schumer and Pelosi condemned the president's past statements that "condone acts of violence."
"However, President Trump's words ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence." "Time and time again, the President has condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and his actions: expressing support for the Congressman who body-slammed a reporter, the neo-Nazis who killed a young woman in Charlottesville, his supporters at rallies who get violent with protestors, dictators around the world who murder their own citizens, and referring to the free press as the enemy of the people."
Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and adviser, tweeted that there's "no excuse" for the attempted attacks.
I strongly condemn the attempted acts of violence against President Obama, the Clinton family, @CNN & others. There is no excuse—America is better than this.
Gratitude to the @SecretService and law enforcement for all they do to keep this nation safe.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 24, 2018
Senate leader Mitch McConnell, calling the deliveries "attempted acts of domestic terrorism," thanked first responders for their protection against "unconscionable acts."
“I stand with all Americans in condemning today’s attempted acts of domestic terrorism. As we continue to learn more, Americans are united in gratitude for the first responders — the Secret Service, the Postal Service, and other law enforcement — who protect our leaders and public figures from such unconscionable acts,” McConnell said in a statement.
Obtained by ABC News
House majority leader Paul Ryan also commented, calling the acts "reprehensible."
Those behind such reprehensible acts must be brought to justice. We cannot tolerate any attempt to terrorize public figures. I am grateful to the @SecretService, Capitol Police, and all law enforcement who guard against these threats. https://t.co/HUQQxynU9h
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 24, 2018
Later in the afternoon, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi also reacted.
"The goal of terrorists is to instill fear," she said. "We will not allow them to diminish our commitment to building a brighter future for communities across America."
Once again, we are reminded of the heroism of America’s first responders as they work to counter these attempted attacks. The goal of terrorists is to instill fear. We will not allow them to diminish our commitment to building a brighter future for communities across America.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) October 24, 2018
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, echoed Pelosi's rhetoric to defy terrorism — claiming the acts of terror will "only make us more brave."
These targeted acts of terror are despicable cowardice.
These acts will not inflict terror, they will only make us more brave.
Grateful to the first responders and law enforcement for their quick response to these threats. https://t.co/7vH9jC8wmr
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) October 24, 2018
And Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who campaigned with Clinton in 2016, said violence — against people or media organizations – "has no place in our democracy."
Violence against private citizens, public officials and media organizations has no place in our democracy. I am thankful for the bold and swift action of law enforcement to ensure no one was hurt. https://t.co/2Y6FwPJ5WJ
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 24, 2018
Clinton's opponent for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, called for a battle of "words and ideas, not fists and bombs."
In this country we battle with words and ideas, not fists and bombs.
Acts of violence, appeals to violence and condoning violence have no place in American society.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 24, 2018
Rep. Eliot Engel, a Democrat who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester Counties in New York, asked the president for a personal rebuke on the "despicable actions."
Since Monday, we have seen several acts of terrorism targeting progressive leaders and a bastion of the free American press. This has to stop. I call on the President to personally rebuke these despicable actions and stop fomenting division in this country. pic.twitter.com/IsaWH34Oml
— Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) October 24, 2018
Obama, who has been on the campaign trail stumping for Democrats, had no immediate comment through his spokesperson but deferred to the Secret Service for further information.
This is a developing story. Please refresh for updates.
Kaynak:Abcnews
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