President Donald Trump praised the work of law enforcement in arresting the suspect in connection with the 14 package bombs that were intercepted across the country this week, but also bemoaned how the coverage of the bomb scares has drowned out other news. 
 
 "I am pleased to inform you that law enforcement has apprehended the suspect and taken him into custody. Incredible job by law enforcement," Trump said at a White House event for young black leaders on Friday. 
 
 "These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country," he said. 
 
 "We will prosecute them, him, her, whoever it may be, to the fullest extent of the law," Trump added. "We must never allow political violence to take root in America." 
 
 Later at the same event, Trump referenced the investigation, saying that his announcement on drug prices was "competing with the story that took place." 
 
 There were sporadic shouts of "fake news," "CNN sucks" and "Soros" from individuals in the crowd at the event, which is not uncommon for Trump campaign rallies but more unusual from inside the White House. 
 
 Trump's comment about the news coverage was the second time in several hours that Trump appeared to complain about the focus of media coverage about the investigation into the suspected package bombs that were addressed to a series of high profile individuals and Democratic politicians. 
 
 Friday morning, Trump tweeted his concerns that media's coverage of the ongoing bomb crisis has been overshadowing the midterm elections, even as his staff insisted he has been "receiving constant information" about the ongoing security situation. 
 
 "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!" Trump tweeted at 10:19 a.m. Friday. 
 
 Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 
 
 Earlier this morning, the president wrote a half-sentence tweet criticizing CNN, deleted it, then wrote a full tweet criticizing CNN "and others" the same week the television network was mailed a bomb. 
 
 "Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs ... yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, 'it's just not Presidential!'" Trump tweeted at 3:14 a.m. Friday morning. 
 
 Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, “it’s just not Presidential!” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 
 
 At 2:48 a.m., he'd tweeted: "Funny how lowly rated CNN and others can criticize." 
 
 That tweet was quickly deleted, but ABC News obtained a screengrab. 
 
 Obtained by ABC News 
 
 This comes after Trump, at a rally earlier this week, bragged about "how nice I'm behaving tonight." 
 
 In addition to former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, other politicians who were addressed in the various packages include former Vice President Joe Biden, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Sen. Cory Booker. 
 
 ABC News 
 
 Democratic donor George Soros and actor Robert De Niro, who was critical of the commander in chief at this year's Academy Awards, were also the targets of suspicious packages. 
 
 During an introduction of Bruce Springsteen, De Niro said: "First, I wanna say, 'F--k Trump. It's no longer, 'Down with Trump,' it's 'F--k Trump.'" 
 
 The president responded by calling the two-time Oscar winner "a very Low IQ individual." 
 
 To date, 13 suspicious packages believed to have explosive devices have been found in various locations across the country, all addressed to high-profile Democratic politicians or public figures who have been open in expressing their criticism of the Trump administration. ||||| This image obtained Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, and provided by ABC News shows a package addressed to former CIA head John Brennan and an explosive device that was sent to CNN's New York office. The mail-bomb... (Associated Press) 
 
 This image obtained Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, and provided by ABC News shows a package addressed to former CIA head John Brennan and an explosive device that was sent to CNN's New York office. The mail-bomb scare widened Thursday as law enforcement officials seized more suspicious packages. (ABC News... (Associated Press) 
 
 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on pipe bombs sent to prominent critics of President Donald Trump (all times local): 
 
 12:44 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is confirming that a suspect in the mail bomb scare is in custody and says he will be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." 
 
 Trump, in his first remarks since Cesar Sayoc, 56, was apprehended in Florida, declared that "we must never allow political violence take root in America." 
 
 More than 10 mail bombs have been sent in recent days to political opponents of the president. 
 
 Trump declared that "these terrorizing acts are despicable" and said Americans "must unify." 
 
 But his remarks came just hours after Trump tweeted a complaint that the media's focus on bombs was distracting from Republican efforts in the upcoming midterm elections. 
 
 He also put the word "bomb" in quotes, a seeming nod to those who believed the scare was a hoax. 
 
 __ 
 
 12:30 p.m. 
 
 The name of the man detained in connection with the pipe bomb scare is Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Aventura, Florida, according to law enforcement officials. 
 
 Four officials familiar with the investigation identified the man to The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter on the record. 
 
 It was not clear whether Sayoc had been formally charged in the rash of devices addressed in recent days to Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. 
 
 __ 
 
 11:59 a.m. 
 
 Law enforcement officers were seen on television Friday examining a white van, its windows covered with an assortment of stickers, in the city of Plantation, Florida. 
 
 The stickers included images of American flags, and what appeared to be logos of the Republican National Committee and CNN, though the writing surrounding those images was unclear. 
 
 Officials covered the vehicle with a blue tarp before removing it from the Florida neighborhood where it was found. 
 
 Law enforcement officials have not said whether the van in question was connected to the person taken into custody in Florida in connection with the mail bombs sent to prominent critics of President Donald Trump. 
 
 __ 
 
 11:50 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump says he will "address the investigation into the bomb packages" shortly. 
 
 Trump is scheduled to speak Friday at the Young Black Leadership Summit at the White House. He tweeted that he will speak about the investigation at the event. 
 
 Trump's tweet came after the Justice Department said federal authorities arrested a man in Florida on Friday in connection with the mail-bomb scare that widened to 12 suspicious packages. 
 
 The development came amid a coast-to-coast manhunt for the person responsible for a series of explosive devices addressed to Democrats including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. 
 
 Earlier in the day, Trump referenced "this "Bomb" stuff" on Twitter, saying the scare was distracting from Republican efforts in the midterm elections. 
 
 __ 
 
 11:42 a.m. 
 
 A law enforcement official says the person in custody in connection with package bombs sent to prominent Democrats is a man in his 50s. 
 
 Two other law enforcement officials said the man was taken into custody in Florida. The person's name was not immediately released. The officials weren't authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. 
 
 Authorities have located 12 devices addressed in recent days to Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. 
 
 The targets have all been high-profile critics of the president. 
 
 The Justice Department has scheduled a Friday afternoon news conference to discuss the investigation. 
 
 —By Colleen Long and Michael Balsamo 
 
 __ 
 
 11:26 a.m. 
 
 Two law enforcement officials say a person was taken into custody in Florida in connection with package bombs that were sent to high-profile critics of the president. 
 
 The officials weren't authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. 
 
 The person's name was not immediately released. 
 
 Video from television news helicopters showed federal agents and police officers examining a white van in the parking lot of a business in Plantation, Florida. 
 
 The van had several stickers on the windows, including American flags. 
 
 Officials located 12 devices addressed in recent days to Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. 
 
 — By Michael Balsamo 
 
 __ 
 
 11:10 a.m. 
 
 The Justice Department says a person has been taken into custody in connection with a series of package bombs sent to prominent Democrats. 
 
 Spokeswoman Sarah Flores says a news conference is scheduled for later Friday. The person's name was not immediately released. 
 
 Officials have located 12 devices addressed in recent days to Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. 
 
 The FBI said Friday that a package addressed to Sen. Cory Booker, of New Jersey, was intercepted in Florida. Another was discovered at a Manhattan postal facility and was addressed to former national intelligence director James Clapper at CNN's address. 
 
 The targets have all been high-profile critics of President Donald Trump. 
 
 ___ 
 
 11 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is arguing that a mail bomb scare targeting Democratic politicians and CNN is distracting from his midterm election efforts, dismissing it as "this 'Bomb' stuff." 
 
 Trump tweets Friday morning: "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!" 
 
 The president's comments came as two more suspicious packages were discovered Friday. They were addressed to New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper. 
 
 That brings the total number of devices to 12 in recent days. The targets have all been high-profile critics of the president. 
 
 Trump initially called for unity, but quickly turned to blaming the press for the divisive political climate. 
 
 ___ 
 
 10:10 a.m. 
 
 A law enforcement official has confirmed to The Associated Press that the suspicious package addressed to New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker was found during an overnight search of the Opa-locka, Florida, mail facility that lasted until 4 a.m. Friday. 
 
 The official said the package was similar to the others sent to targets of right-wing anger, with the return address listed as the Sunrise, Florida, office of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The official did not know if the package was outgoing or a return-to-sender mailing. 
 
 The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak to reporters on the ongoing investigation. 
 
 — By Curt Anderson in Miami 
 
 ___ 
 
 9:50 a.m. 
 
 Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says he is not surprised he has been targeted with a suspicious package. 
 
 Clapper told CNN Friday morning that the devices sent to prominent critics of President Donald Trump in recent days were "definitely domestic terrorism." 
 
 Two officials told the AP that a package was discovered at a postal facility in Midtown Manhattan. One official said it was addressed to Clapper. The officials weren't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. 
 
 Clapper described the situation as "serious," but said it is "not going to silence the administration's critics." 
 
 Clapper stressed that he did not want to suggest any direct link between Trump's past rhetoric and the packages. But he said Trump should bear responsibility for the "coarseness and uncivility of the dialogue in this country." 
 
 — By Michael R. Sisak in New York and Michael Balsamo in Washington 
 
 ___ 
 
 9:40 a.m. 
 
 Robert De Niro is calling on people to vote in light of the series of bombs mailed to targets of right-wing anger. 
 
 In a statement released by his publicist on Friday, the actor says "There's something more powerful than bombs, and that's your vote. People must vote!" 
 
 A suspicious package containing what authorities described as a crude pipe bomb was discovered at De Niro's New York City office on Thursday. 
 
 De Niro says he is thankful no one was hurt. He also thanked "the brave and resourceful security and law enforcement people for protecting us." 
 
 ___ 
 
 9:25 a.m. 
 
 Two law enforcement officials say a package closely resembling parcels sent to critics of President Donald Trump has been found at a postal facility in New York City. 
 
 A police bomb squad was responding to a post office in Midtown Manhattan to check out the item, which was discovered by postal workers. One official says it was addressed to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. 
 
 The officials weren't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. 
 
 Police were advising pedestrians and motorists to avoid the area while they investigate. 
 
 The post office is near several Broadway theaters 
 
 — By Michael R. Sisak in New York and Michael Balsamo in Washington 
 
 ___ 
 
 8:55 a.m. 
 
 The FBI says a suspicious package addressed to New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker has been recovered in Florida and is similar in appearance to the other ones received in the last few days. 
 
 That's the 11th package this week. 
 
 The targets of packages containing pipe bombs have been prominent critics of President Donald Trump. 
 
 Other packages have been intended for people including former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder, philanthropist George Soros, former Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Maxine Waters. 
 
 The FBI is doing a nationwide manhunt for whoever is sending the pipe bomb packages. Officials are trying to determine if the sender or senders was trying to sow fear or actually cause physical destruction. 
 
 ___ 
 
 5:55 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump claims he's being blamed for the mail bombs addressed to some of his most prominent critics. 
 
 Trump says in a tweet sent before dawn Friday, "Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, 'it's just not Presidential!'" 
 
 Pipe bombs were sent to Trump critics including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and to ex-CIA director John Brennan at CNN but didn't explode. 
 
 Trump tweeted Thursday much of the anger in society is caused by the "Mainstream Media." 
 
 Brennan replied Trump should stop blaming others and should "Look in the mirror." Brennan advises Trump to "try to act Presidential." 
 
 CNN hasn't responded to messages seeking comment before business hours. 
 
 ___ 
 
 1:30 a.m. 
 
 Investigators have been searching coast-to-coast for the culprit and motives behind the bizarre mail-bomb plot aimed at critics of the president, analyzing the innards of the crude devices to reveal whether they were intended to detonate or simply sow fear two weeks before Election Day. 
 
 Three more devices were linked to the plot Thursday — two addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden and one to actor Robert De Niro — bringing the total to 10 in an outbreak of politically loaded menace with little if any precedent. 
 
 Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that the devices, containing timers and batteries, were not rigged like booby-trapped package bombs that would explode upon opening. A search of a postal database suggested at least some may have been mailed from Florida. 
 
 ___ 
 
 For the AP's complete coverage of the mail-bomb scare: https://apnews.com/PipeBombAttacks ||||| (CNN) Cesar Sayoc was charged Friday with five federal crimes and faces up to 48 years in prison in connection to improvised explosive devices sent to prominent Democratic politicians, donors and CNN offices in New York. 
 
 Sayoc was arrested in a south Florida auto parts store Friday morning as additional explosive devices or suspicious packages were identified in New York and California. 
 
 A total of 13 bombs were mailed around the country, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a new conferences, adding that there could be more packages not yet discovered. 
 
 "These are not hoax devices," Wray said. 
 
 Sayoc was charged with illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and others, and assaulting current and former federal officers, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said, adding that charges could change or expand as the investigation continues. He initially said Sayoc faced up to 58 years in prison, but the Justice Department later revised that figure to 48. 
 
 "This is a law-and-order administration," Sessions said at the Justice Department. "We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially not political violence." 
 
 Speaking at the White House Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump congratulated law enforcement on the arrest and denounced what he called "terrorizing acts." He also called for unity: "peace and love and harmony as fellow Americans." 
 
 "We must never allow political violence to take root in America," Trump said at one point. "I'm committed to doing everything in my power as President to stop it." 
 
 As the situation initially unfolded mid-morning -- before the arrest was announced -- the President complained on Twitter that the news media was busy reporting on "'Bomb' stuff" and not politics. 
 
 "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!" Trump tweeted. 
 
 Sessions said a political motive was not immediately known. 
 
 Asked why the targets were Democrats or Trump critics, Sessions said, "I don't know. Other than what you might normally expect. He may have been -- appears to be partisan but that will be determined by the facts as the case goes forward." 
 
 Sayoc's social media accounts showed he was a fervent supporter of Trump and had posted criticism of CNN and other media outlets. Among the posts were threats to individual political figures and media outlets, including CNN and CNN employees. 
 
 Trump told reporters Friday on the South Lawn he had heard Sayoc was a supporter of his, but that didn't mean much to the President. 
 
 "I heard he was a person who prefers me over others, but I did not see that," Trump said when asked about images of Trump on Sayoc's van. 
 
 The President added, "There's no blame, there's no anything." 
 
 Sayoc initially cooperative after arrest 
 
 JUST WATCHED Trump praises law enforcement for arrest Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Trump praises law enforcement for arrest 02:08 
 
 FBI agents used flash bangs to arrest Sayoc and took him into custody near an AutoZone store in Plantation, a law enforcement official said. He was initially cooperative and told investigators that the pipe bombs wouldn't have hurt anyone and that he didn't want to harm anyone, the official added. 
 
 A white van -- adorned with images of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, as well as a "CNN Sucks" sticker -- in Plantation was towed away Friday to Miramar, Florida, where an FBI field office is located. The official said Sayoc had been kicked out by his parents and was living in the van. 
 
 He later retained an attorney so police questioning has ceased, the official added. 
 
 DNA found on at least one of the packages, as well as Sayoc's cell phone, helped investigators identify him, multiple law enforcement officials said. 
 
 Previous arrests 
 
 Sayoc was not previously known to the Secret Service, law enforcement sources said, but Florida records show a string of arrests dating back to the early 1990s. 
 
 Notable among them is a 2002 arrest by Miami police for an offense described in online records as a "threat to bomb" and "threaten to discharge destructive device." A police report at the time shows that he threatened to blow up a power company and that "it would be worse than September 11th." 
 
 Cesar Sayoc is shown in this undated photo. 
 
 Sayoc pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation, records show. 
 
 The records show a total of eight arrests for offenses, including grand theft, battery, fraud and drug possession, as well as multiple probation violations. In 2014, he was arrested after stealing copper pipes at a Home Depot, to which he plead guilty. 
 
 The adjudication of each of the arrests could not immediately be determined from the summary of offenses provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sayoc appears to have pleaded no contest to some offenses. Prosecutors appear to have dropped charges in other matters. 
 
 Sayoc also was arrested in North Carolina in 1999 on a stolen vehicle charge, which was later dismissed. 
 
 Florida voting records show Sayoc is a registered Republican. He filed for bankruptcy in 2012. 
 
 New packages Friday 
 
 JUST WATCHED New suspicious packages addressed to Booker, Clapper Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH New suspicious packages addressed to Booker, Clapper 02:01 
 
 Earlier Friday, authorities intercepted suspicious packages intended for Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey; former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California; and major Democratic donor Tom Steyer, the latest to be sent to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump that were discovered earlier this week. 
 
 Authorities believe the package addressed to Steyer is from Sayoc, according to multiple law enforcement officials. 
 
 This brings the total number of known packages sent by Sayoc to 14. However, he's been charged with sending only 13 packages. 
 
 One of the officials says the package has been rendered safe and will be transported to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. 
 
 The FBI said Friday that the package addressed to Booker was discovered in Florida and is "similar in appearance to the others." Sources told CNN the package was addressed to the senator's Camden, New Jersey, office. Booker confirmed the package was intended for him but declined to comment further to CNN. The packages intended for Harris and Steyer were discovered in California, law enforcement sources said. 
 
 The package intended for Clapper also was addressed to CNN, a law enforcement official said. It was found at a New York City postal facility and was similar to the other packages, the official added. 
 
 The Clapper package arrived in a manila envelope with six US flag stamps, just like others discovered this week. The return address is that of Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's Florida office, which was the address on packages intended for former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, billionaire and Democratic donor George Soros, actor Robert De Niro, former Attorney General Eric Holder, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan. There is no information that suggests Wasserman Schultz sent them. 
 
 Clapper, who has frequently criticized Trump, vowed to CNN Friday morning that he wouldn't be intimidated in light of the discovery. 
 
 "I do want to just echo one thing that John Brennan said and that this is not going to silence the administration's critics," Clapper said. 
 
 This story is breaking and will be updated.
– President Trump on Friday praised the quick arrest of a suspect in the mail bomb case and promised that "swift and certain justice" would follow. "These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country," Trump said. Speaking soon after authorities announced the arrest of Florida man accused of mailing explosive devices to prominent Democrats, Trump declared that "we must never allow political violence to take root in America," reports NBC News. "We cannot let it happen. I am committed to do everything in my power as president to stop it and stop it now." Americans, he said, "must unify." As the AP notes, the president's remarks came after he tweeted a complaint about how the media's focus on the incidents were distracting from what he sees as a Republican upswing ahead of the midterms. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows — news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!"