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Suspicious Package Containing 'Device' Found Addressed To The White House
Reports suggest that a suspicious package containing a "device" has been found addressed to the White House.
The package bears similarities to the ones that have recently been sent to the homes of Bill and Hilary Clinton and billionaire businessman George Soros, as well as the office of Barack Obama.
CNN has learned another suspicious package with a device addressed to the White House was intercepted at Joint Base Bolling in Washington, DC. According to a law enforcement official, the device was similar to one sent to Soros home, and to homes of Clintons and Obamas.
- Natasha Chen (@NatashaChenCNN) October 24, 2018
Several of the devices were intercepted by the US Secret Service which meant that neither President Obama, nor Hilary Clinton - who the package was reportedly addressed to - and her family were in danger of receiving the packages. The Secret Service said that the packages were found during "routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such".
The device sent to Soros was found in a mailbox outside his house on Monday and officials have said that it was likely hand delivered, according to reports in the New York Times.
Bomb squads "proactively detonated" the suspected pipe bomb safely.
Mr Soros has attracted criticism from right wing groups because of his own liberal views.
The package addressed to the White House was intercepted at Joint Base Bolling, a US military facility.The source of the packages is not yet known, nor is a link proven.
CNN Reporter Oliver Darcy also tweeted that the Time-Warner Center in New York, where several of CNN's studios are based, was being evacuated. Reports have suggested that this is also due to a suspicious package.
We are being evacuated right now at time warner center in NYC. Striking scene as alarm went off as @jimsciutto and @PoppyHarlowCNN were on air.
- Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 24, 2018
NYPD @NYPDSpecialops Officers are investigating a suspicious package in Columbus Circle. Please avoid the area. Expect a police presence and heavy traffic in the area. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/203sNbyUzd
- NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 24, 2018
This has not been confirmed, nor is it known whether this is related to the other suspicious packages or not.
A statement was released by White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday condemning the attempted attacks on the Mr Obama and the Clintons.
Huckabee Sanders said:"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."
The authorities are investigating these incidents and any potential link between them.
More to follow.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: White House, Michelle Obama, Washington, US News, New York, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, CNN