Suspicious package count up to 10 as investigation continues

Example of packages containing explosives mailed to prominent Democrats and CNN this week. (Photo: FBI)

The nationwide manhunt for the person responsible for mailing nearly a dozen suspicious packages to prominent Democrats this week continues.

Authorities, so far, intercepted 10 manila envelopes stuffed with bubble wrap and potential destructive devices — described as pipe bombs — addressed to both congressional Dems and Robert DeNiro, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.

“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages.”

The FBI confirmed former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder received the packages in New York and Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. A fourth package turned up at CNN’s New York headquarters addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan and a fifth was discovered in the mailbox of George Soros, a controversial and prominent liberal donor, on Monday evening.

“We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call,” Wray said. “No piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”

The FBI further verified the discovery of two more envelopes sent to California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters in Los Angeles, two intercepted en route to former Vice President Joe Biden and another at Robert De Niro’s NYC restaurant and production office.

The packages all displayed a Florida return address with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s name printed across the left-hand side and six postage stamps. The envelope destined for Holder was “unsuccessfully delivered” and rerouted back to the Florida address, according to the FBI.

Some experts not involved with the investigation suggest the bombs lack trigger devices and “look fake,” calling into question the true intentions of the suspect or suspects behind the attack, according to a report from the New York Times.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo disputed this interpretation, telling CNN “its established” the devices were “capable of denotation.” “Was that purposeful or incidental?,” he said. Was it a poorly constructed bomb?”

New York Police Department officials told reporters Wednesday the envelope discovered in the CNN mail room contained an unidentified white powder later deemed non-biological. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo blasted the failed terrorist attack as “no doubt” the result of a tense political atmosphere rife with “hatred and division” contributing to “choices people make to turn to violence.”

“This is the world we live in. Terrorism, the attempt to spread fear, is the world we live in.” Cuomo said. “Terrorism only works if you let it work.”

“At a time when there is hate and division, it doesn’t make sense to exacerbate it,” de Blasio said. “Don’t encourage violence. Don’t encourage hatred. Don’t encourage attacks on media. You can disagree, but you have to show respect for people and air your disagreements peacefully.”

CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker accused the White House of fanning the flames of violence through hostility toward the media. “The president and especially the White House press secretary should understand their words matter,” he said.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the administration’s press secretary, blasted Zucker and Democrats for blaming Trump, telling Fox News he’s “no more responsible” for the bombs than Sen. Bernie Sanders is for June 2017 congressional baseball shooting. “America should unite against all political violence,” she said Wednesday.