Federal authorities are investigating suspicious packages sent to the White House, former US President, Barack Obama and former Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, the US Secret Service and official said on Wednesday.
A suspicious package addressed to the White House was intercepted at an off-site facility, the source told the Media.
The suspicious packages sent to the two top Democrats as well as a bomb sent to one of their major donors came roughly two weeks ahead of the high-stakes November 6 election.
This election will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress in a nation that has become deeply polarized.
The package to Clinton was found late Tuesday while the one addressed to Obama was found early Wednesday.
Both were discovered during routine mail screenings, the Secret Service said. Both Obama and Clinton were not at risk, they added.
The White House, in a statement, condemned the attempted attacks on Obama and Clinton.
“These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” White House spokeswoman, Sarah Sanders said.
She added: “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 FBI said it was investigating the packages.
“The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
The package addressed to Clinton at her home in the New York suburb of Chappaqua was an explosive device, the media reported.
The discovery of the packages came after a small bomb was found earlier this week at the home of billionaire liberal donor, George Soros, in the New York City suburb of Katonah.
This is about 10 miles from the Clintons’ home.
“Nothing made it to their home,” Bill Clinton’s spokesman said in an email. A spokesman for Hillary Clinton referred queries to the Secret Service statement.
A spokeswoman for the Obamas declined to comment.
Chappaqua police said authorities in New Castle assisted the FBI, the Secret Service and Westchester County police with the investigation into the package sent to Clinton.
“The matter is currently under federal investigation,” the police said in a statement, referring questions to the FBI.
The device sent to Clinton was similar to the one found on Monday at Soros’ home, the media reported, citing a law enforcement official.
Clinton and Obama bombs: Secret Service intercepts suspicious packages
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 27: US President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wave to the crowd on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
