The package arrived at the building in Tribeca in Lower Manhattan that houses Mr. De Niro’s production company and restaurant. It was similar to those discovered a day earlier and was also believed to contain an explosive device, officials said. On Wednesday, in the center of Manhattan, the Time Warner Center, an elegant office and shopping complex, was evacuated because of a pipe bomb sent to CNN, which has its New York offices there. It was addressed to John O. Brennan, a critic of Mr. Trump who served as Mr. Obama’s C.I.A. director. None of the devices harmed anyone, and it was not immediately clear whether any of them could have. One law enforcement official said investigators were examining the possibility that they were hoax devices that were constructed to look like bombs but would not have exploded. The F.B.I. said the devices were similar to one found Monday at the home of George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist and liberal donor, in a New York City suburb.<doc-sep>Authorities have safely removed what they said was a "live explosive device" mailed to CNN's New York office on Wednesday that forced the network to evacuate its employees. New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neill said an envelope containing white powder was found with the device. Two CNN reporters said the package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, who served in the Obama administration. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned the incident as an "act of terror." The Secret Service said on Wednesday that explosive devices were also sent to the home of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and to the home of former President Barack Obama. A bomb squad safely removed what authorities called a "live explosive device" mailed to CNN's office in New York on Wednesday that prompted the network to evacuate its employees. New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neill told reporters at a news conference that the department's bomb squad secured the device and removed it for investigation, and that an envelope containing white powder was found alongside it. The CNN reporters Jim Sciutto and Jake Tapper tweeted that the package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, who frequently appears on the network and has been critical of President Donald Trump. The network tweeted a picture of the device. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned the incident as "an effort to terrorize" and praised CNN employees for their professionalism in handling the situation. "This clearly was an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence," he said, adding, "We are going to go about our lives undeterred, because the very concept of terrorism is to change us, and we will not allow that to happen." De Blasio added that there were no other credible, specific threats to New Yorkers and that residents should go about their daily routines. CNN had been broadcasting live Wednesday morning when a fire alarm went off in the Time Warner Center in midtown Manhattan. Footage showed Sciutto and Poppy Harlow explaining that the alarm had gone off, while employees could be seen leaving the studio. The network cut to commercial. CNN reporters tweeted photos showing a heavy police response at the scene, and people in the area received emergency alerts on their smartphones telling them to shelter in place. CNN's president, Jeff Zucker, told employees in a statement that the package was received in the building's mail room and that he was "working with authorities to determine the severity of the situation." He added that the network was checking all of its bureaus around the world "out of a complete abundance of caution." 'A total and complete lack of understanding at the White House' NYPD members outside the Time Warner Center on Wednesday. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton The incident came amid reports that the Secret Service had intercepted explosive devices mailed to the residences of Bill and Hillary Clinton in Chappaqua, New York, and former President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. "The Secret Service has initiated a full scope criminal investigation that will leverage all available federal, state, and local resources to determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible," the Secret Service said in a statement. Several more were found across the country, including at the offices of Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, and California Rep. Maxine Waters. On Monday, an explosive device was found at the home of the billionaire Democratic donor George Soros in Bedford, New York. President Donald Trump on Wednesday condemned the incidents, vowing a full investigation and urging unity. "I just want to tell you that in these times, we have to unify," he said. "We have to come together and send one clear, and strong message that acts of threats or political violence have no place in the United States of America." But Zucker appeared to find the remarks insufficient — he said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that Trump and the rest of his administration needed to better understand the consequences of their frequent attacks on CNN and other media. "There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," Zucker said. "The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that." Skye Gould/Business Insider Read Business Insider's full coverage of the suspicious packages:<doc-sep>Officials said the packages used as a return address the office of Wasserman Schultz, who chaired the Democratic National Committee during part of the 2016 campaign. One such package used an incorrect address for former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., and it was “returned” to her office in Sunrise, Fla., where it was intercepted, according to officials. Authorities do not believe she had anything to do with the packages and think she was a potential victim. A spokesman for Holder declined to comment.<doc-sep>NEW YORK – Authorities were investigating two additional suspicious packages Wednesday evening after an all-day effort that led to the discovery of devices – including pipe bombs – sent to prominent Democrats across the country, including former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The latest discovery Wednesday evening was a package believed to have been addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden. Reuters and CNN reported federal authorities were searching for the package, which was returned to sender. It was considered suspicious due to the similarities to other packages discovered. Another package was being investigated in Los Angeles after discovered Wednesday evening. The Los Angeles Police Department posted on Twitter that the package was discovered at the Los Angeles Central Mail facility near Downtown Los Angeles. The center was evacuated so the package could be deemed safe. The FBI said agents have intercepted the package and a second, both addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. The first was discovered by Capitol Police Wednesday afternoon at an off-site mail facility in the Washington area. The bureau confirmed the two packages in a statement, saying they are "similar in appearance" to the others found. More: Trump tones down attacks, calls for civility Also:Suspicious packages delivered to Clintons, Obamas, Soros, CNN: What we know so far Related:CNN office evacuates while live on air after package intercepted at New York office The packages are the latest in a seemingly coordinated coast-to-coast attack on prominent liberals. Throughout the day Wednesday, packages were discovered in Washington, New York and Florida. CNN's offices in midtown Manhattan were evacuated after a package addressed to former CIA director John Brennan, a frequent commentator on the network, contained a pipe bomb and an envelope with white powder inside. Those sent packages included: Obama in Washington, Clinton in suburban New York, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in South Florida, the Westchester County, New York, residence of philanthropist and Democratic donor George Soros, along with CNN and the two addressed to Waters. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he was deploying 100 National Guardsmen to mass transit systems across the state in light of the threats and to help people feel safer as federal authorities attempt to find a motive and the person or people responsible. The FBI said Wednesday afternoon the five original packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior. "The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ” [sic] in Florida," the agency said in the statement. The packages were taken to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginiafor examination. "So far, the devices have been what appear to be pipe bombs," NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller said in a mid-day news conference Wednesday in Manhattan. The joint terrorism task force is working with FBI field offices to search for other suspicious packages. Authorities began looking after the first two arrived, and New York police were at CNN when that package was discovered. All of the recipients identified have been high-profile targets of President Donald Trump, leaving all eyes on what the president's message would be at a rally Wednesday night. Throughout Wednesday, many of the president's critics placed blame on his rhetoric, which they say incites violence. Obama's former top political strategist David Axelrod asked in a tweet what tone the president planned to take at a campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Wednesday night "given the serial bombs that were delivered to several of his favorite verbal targets?" At the White House, Trump condemned "this egregious conduct" and called it "abhorrent to everything we hold dear and sacred as Americans." He promised to "get to the bottom of this" and punish the perpetrators. "The safety of the American people is my highest and absolute priority," he said. "The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice. We will spare no resources or expense in this effort." Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, who has been a target of Trump's ire, said the president should stop labeling the media as the "enemy" or verbally castigating political opponents. "Words matter," Flake told CNN. "If he were to take a more civil tone, it would help. … We all need to watch the rhetoric that we use. People hear them and then follow it. ...Those of us in office need to keep that in mind. The stakes are too high right now." The types of explosives and packaging will provide a wealth of information for investigators, along with possible fingerprints and DNA left behind by the bombmakers, said Anthony Roman, president of Roman & Assoc. Inc., a risk-management and commercial-investigation firm in Uniondale, N.Y. “The scientific forensic abilities today are absolutely magical,” Roman said. “The way bombs are constructed and the materials used to construct them provide a fingerprint and tell an investigative story about who the perpetrators of this crime are.” Bomb materials can be traced. Manufacturers and distributors could provide information. Video cameras where the packages were mailed or delivered could provide images of the perpetrators, as they helped do during the Boston Marathon bombing investigation. “Unlikely this will go unsolved,” Roman said. The Secret Service said packages addressed to Clinton and Obama were intercepted by law enforcement officials. Also Wednesday, a police bomb squad was sent to CNN’s offices in New York City and the newsroom was evacuated because of a suspicious package. The NYPD said included in the package was an envelope with white powder. James O’Neill, New York Police Department commissioner, said the building was swept with dogs and equipment, and no additional threats were found. "We will not be intimidated, and we will bring these perpetrators to justice," O’Neill said. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said there were no other credible threats in the city. Meanwhile, the FBI confirmed another suspicious package went to Wasserman Schultz’ office in Sunrise, Florida, the Associated Press reported. Citing law enforcement sources, CNN reported a suspicious package also was supposed to be delivered to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.<doc-sep>
Pipe bombs sent to several prominent critics of President Donald Trump and to CNN's New York newsroom triggered a nationwide investigation and bipartisan condemnation on Wednesday. The targets included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder and former CIA Director John Brennan, officials and investigators said. Early Wednesday night, federal and local authorities were investigating a suspicious package "similar in appearance" to the earlier packages at a postal facility in south Los Angeles addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., the FBI said. Los Angeles police said that the facility was evacuated before a bomb squad rendered the package safe and that the investigation had been turned over to the FBI. It was the second package addressed to Waters to have been uncovered, the FBI said. The first was discovered in Maryland. The earlier bombs — like the explosive device that was found Monday in the mailbox of George Soros' home in Bedford, New York — were all made with PVC pipe, which X-rays indicated likely contained shrapnel, three senior law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News. They included a low explosive or a pyrotechnic, as in fireworks, as well as timers — likely digital alarm clocks — to set off the detonators, the sources said. Multiple senior bomb technicians briefed on the case said the aspiring bomber had all of the components needed to set off a successful explosion. No arrests have been made. An X-ray image of one of the pipe bombs addressed to CNN and prominent critics of President Donald Trump provided by law enforcement officials briefed on the case. NBC News The package addressed to Clinton was discovered on Tuesday near the Clintons' home in Chappaqua, New York, a suburb of New York City. The one addressed to Obama was intercepted Wednesday in Washington, they said. The mail bombing targets: Former President Barack Obama Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Former Attorney General Eric Holder Former CIA Director John Brennan Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. Billionaire George Soros The package addressed to Brennan misspelled his name and was sent to the wrong network. It was discovered Wednesday at the Manhattan offices of CNN, even though he is a senior national security and intelligence analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. The newsroom was immediately evacuated, and the New York police bomb squad was summoned. Speaking Wednesday night at the University of Texas, Brennan said he had "full confidence in my former law enforcement and intelligence colleagues to get to the bottom of this and take the appropriate actions." "If I and others are being targeted because we are speaking out and we're living up to our responsibilities as citizens, I think that is a very unfortunate turn of events," he said. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio described the packages at a news conference as "clearly an act of terror." At the same news conference, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said one of the packages was addressed to him and had been sent to his office. But the FBI said Cuomo's office hadn't received an explosive device, and a spokesman for Cuomo said the package contained computer files on the Proud Boys, a far-right hate group, some of whose members were recently arrested in Manhattan. New York police outside the Time Warner Center in New York on Wednesday. Richard Drew / AP Saying he was acting "out of an abundance of caution," Cuomo dispatched 100 members of the National Guard to beef up the already tight security at key New York City crossings and the airports and in the subway system. A suspected explosive device received at the CNN bureau in New York City on Wednesday. NBC News The devices were in manila packages that bore stamps and signatures with the address of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., whose name also was misspelled, three senior law enforcement officials said. Holder's package was mailed to the wrong address, according to law enforcement officials, and it wound up being sent back to Wasserman Schultz's address, where it was intercepted by the Secret Service. "We will not be intimidated by this attempted act of violence," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. "This appalling attack on our democracy must be vigorously prosecuted, and I am deeply disturbed by the way my name was used. Speaking in Florida, Clinton thanked the Secret Service, saying it "intercepted the package addressed to us long before it made its way to our home."