Scary morning, at least five suspicious packages picked up, addressed to different politicians and to cnn. Obviously, the intent was to scare. None went off. No one hurt. But a message was certainly sent as the investigation continues, so does our consideration of how to make this better. Jake tapper picks up our coverage now. This is cnn breaking news. Welcome to the lead, im jake tapper. We begin with breaking news in our national lead. The fbi and other Law Enforcement agencies are trying to figure out who sent at least six suspicious packages to a number of highprofile targets, including former President Bill and Hillary Clinton in chappaqua, new york. Former president barack and Michelle Obama in washington, d. C. , former obama Attorney General, eric holder, though it was sent to the wrong address, so it was sent back to the Return Address, which was oddly democratic congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman schultz in sunrise,
florida. Billionaire financier, george soros. Democratic congr
Bronx, obviously theyre cle clearing the way for it. It is an amazing thing to see. Its one thing to cover it. But its another thing for it to be happening at your place of work. Reporter and the people that ran in when we ran out. Those lights were switched off. Our mikes were in our ear and our entire staff ran out of the building and these folks ran in and got this device and got it out of the middle of manhattan. Its like th there will be this briefing, the mayor de blasio, and james oneil, theyll be briefing on the Security Situation where you guys are outside the Timewarner Center in new york. Jake, this is a story that, you know, came out of the blue, but there were suspicions for days now that there were some Serious Problems beginning with that suspicious package that was delivered to George Soross residence outside of new york city. In Westchester County, new york, george soros who supports a lot of liberal causes, getting a bomb on monday at his home and now more bombs all o
devices were capable of detonating? it doesn t in the long run, because it s still terrorism. a lot of people we ve heard folks trying to analyze this over the last 72 hours, and there seemed to be a narrative, either he has a master bomb maker or complete dolt. i would argue somewhere in between is possible. he could be someone who has researches and has sophistication, but doesn t take it all the way to creating a device that s going to explode and kill. the reason i say it doesn t matter in the long run here, and obviously we re grateful there were no injuries or loss of life. but this is still terrorism. his goal appears to have been to instill fear, to, you know, cause anxiety for political reasons. that is terrorism. so whether it went off or not, he is still facing potential serious charges in the long run, jake. so we ve been digging into the suspect s social media accounts, filled with political attacks, many directed at those he eventually allegedly targeted with these
there is a segment of the population out there that s predisposed to act on these violent tendencies, based on what leaders and based on what they re saying and hearing and tweeting. so, again, that actually makes it more concerning for me as a former law enforcement officer. i m not so much concerned whether this is a master bomb-maker. either way, this person can be deadly. if it turns out to be a mental issue or something of that nature, that still means you have people out there that are taking in this messaging, that are acting on it. it s very troubling. and obviously, just to clarify, you said they re all democrats or progressives. the cnn package, the package that went to cnn was addressed to john brennan, former cia director, care of cnn. we don t know, actually, brennan s political party. right. but he worked for a democrat and has been very critical of president trump. josh, let me ask you, how will investigators piece together clues from all of these devices? so we