NewsNational News

Actions

Trump points finger at opponents, media on day when bombs sent to Democrats and CNN

<p>The FBI has confirmed that <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/statement-on-the-fbis-investigation-of-suspicious-packages/layout_view" target="_blank">five suspicious packages</a> mailed to prominent Democratic figures over the last two days all shared distinguishing characteristics.</p><p>According to the bureau, the packages were all mailed in manila envelopes and named U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the return address. The packages were addressed to George Soros, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former CIA Director John Brennan and former Attorney General Eric Holder. </p><p>One was sent to CNN's building in New York City and addressed to Brennan. The package for Holder was found outside the Miami area office of Rep. Wasserman Schultz, apparently because it was incorrectly addressed. A sixth package, which was not mentioned in the FBI's most recent statement, was addressed to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/24/politics/maxine-waters-suspicious-package/index.html" target="_blank">and reportedly intercepted</a> before getting to Capitol Hill.</p><p>The FBI statement says all five of the packages it listed contained "potentially destructive devices," but it's unclear if the Waters package did as well.</p><p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office also received a suspicious package Wednesday, but NYPD later said it was unrelated to the others and not dangerous. Cuomo also announced he would deploy National Guard soldiers to key areas in New York City <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1055203864281079811" target="_blank">as a precaution</a>.</p><p>The obvious link between all the people targeted is political: All the current and former lawmakers are Democrats, and Brennan and Holder both worked for President Obama. Soros is a political activist who frequently donates to Democratic causes and candidates. </p><p>Additional reporting from <a href="https://www.cnn.com/" target="_blank">Newsy affiliate CNN</a>. </p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/court-ga-can-t-reject-ballots-over-differing-signatures/">Court: Georgia Can't Reject Ballots Over Perceived Signature Mismatch</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/rapid-hurricane-intensification-is-more-common-and-severe/">Why Are So Many Hurricanes Getting So Strong, So Quickly?</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/yahoo-agrees-to-50m-settlement-in-data-breach-lawsuit/">Yahoo Agrees To $50M Settlement In Data Breach Lawsuit</a></li></ul>
Posted

President Donald Trump pointed the finger Wednesday night at Democrats and the news media for the turbulent national political environment, on the same day explosive devices were mailed to the Obamas, the Clintons, CNN and other public officials.

Trump took no responsibly for the tone of the political discourse.

During a rally in Wisconsin, the President promised to bring those responsible for mailing the explosive devices to justice.

"Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself. No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, corrosion or control, we all know that. Such conduct much be fiercely opposed and firmly prosecuted," he said.

"We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony. We can do it. We can do it. We can do it. It'll happen."

Then he pivoted, saying those in the political arena "must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective."

"The language of moral condemnation and destructive, routine -- these are arguments and disagreements that have to stop," he said.

He complained of "mobs" -- a reference to protesters, who opposed Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination and confronted Republican senators on Capitol Hill, and who have challenged GOP lawmakers and Trump Cabinet officials at restaurants and in public.

"No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains, which is done often and all the time. It's got to stop. We should not mob people in public spaces or destroy public property. There is one way to settle our disagreements -- it's called peacefully, at the ballot box. That's what we want," Trump said.

He then said it's the news media's responsibility to set the national political tone.

"The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories. Have to do it," he said.

Trump took no responsibility for his own rhetoric -- which has included attacks on news outlets and Democratic opponents, as well as moments like a recent rally in Montana where he praised a Republican congressman who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his body-slamming a reporter.