Suspicious packages: New York mayor speaks of terrorist act

After several suspicious packages were sent to Democrats two weeks before the congressional elections, Bill De Blasio, mayor of New York, described the incidents as a terrorist act. It was clearly an act of terrorism aimed at intimidating the free press and politicians, he said at a press conference. The aim of such an action is to terrorize society.

Blasio spoke of "a painful time for our nation". It is "a lot of hatred in the air". The situation is under control, it is known at this time no specific danger to other destinations in New York. Nevertheless, the police presence in the city was increased.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio: "What we saw here today is the effort to terrorize. Https://t.co/BmgkJ2HLAc pic.twitter.com/pAc2aOxiHE

After the discovery of a suspicious package was on Wednesday morning (local time), the Time Warner Center in Manhattan, where, among other things, the US television station CNN has its seat, has been vacated. According to police, the package was safely removed from the building and is now being thoroughly investigated. It seems to be pipe bombs, it was said. According to the information, among other things, an envelope with white powder was found in the package.

This is the suspicious package received this morning at the Time Warner Center, which houses the CNN New York bureau.

Police say the package has become a "live explosive device." It has now been removed and taken to a NYPD facility in the Bronx. https://t.co/WMndoOPcym pic.twitter.com/s5PEmvgzpz

Specifically, the potentially dangerous delivery to the television station was addressed to former director of the CIA, John Brennan. He works as an expert on CNN and is a sharp-tongued Trump critic.

Video: CNN offices in New York evacuated after suspicious discovery

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JUSTIN LANE / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock

The US Secret Service had previously intercepted two packages of suspected explosive devices to former US President Barack Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

On Monday, an explosive device had already been found in the mailbox of billionaire George Soros in New York State. Soros had supported in the presidential campaign in 2016 against Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that a suspicious package has also been sent to his office. He also spoke of a terrorist act. Society should not bow to it. "This is not the first time we've been through this," he said, referring to earlier attacks in New York. "We refuse to be intimidated." He would not be surprised if more explosives had been sent.

Trump condemned as well as his vice Mike Pence the "attempted attacks" on "Obama, the Clintons, CNN and others" as detestable. The perpetrators would be held to account with all severity of the law.