Explosives mailed to Obama, Clintons, others

US authorities on Wednesday intercepted suspected explosive devices sent to prominent Democratic figures who are often targeted by President Donald Trump.

The suspicious parcels containing pipe bombs were sent to former President Barack Obama, ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder, ex-CIA Director John Brennan and billionaire financier George Soros, the FBI said.

The devices targeting Brennan were sent to the New York offices of CNN. The FBI later confirmed three similar parcels were sent to Democratic Representative Maxine Waters. 

Read more: Opinion: Politically motivated violence in Trump's America is no surprise

The packages had a return address of the office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who led the Democratic National Committee, the party's executive body.

The spree of parcel bombs started on Monday with one sent to the New York home ofSoros, a financier of liberal causes who is a bête noire of the far-right.

None of the packages detonated. The FBI said that it is possible other packages were mailed to other locations.

There has been no claim behind the parcels and the FBI has not determined a motive of suspect. 

'Political violence'

Speaking at the White House, Trump condemned "acts or threats of political violence," saying they "have no place in the United States.

The media has often been at the center of Trump's barbs against "fake news" and he has labeled journalists as "enemies of the people."

Democratic leaders accused Trump of fueling politically-motivated violence, saying he "condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and actions."

In a joint statement, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi said Trump's support for "the neo-Nazis who killed a young woman in Charlottesville" and "referring to the free press as the enemy of the people" have created a toxic environment in the country.

CNN president Jeff Zucker issued sharp criticism of Trump's verbal assaults on the media. 

"There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," said Zucker. "Words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that."

cw,av,ls/rc  (AP, Reuters)

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