WASHINGTON — The office of Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, was targeted with a suspicious package on the same day that pipe bombs were reportedly sent to former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“I have been informed by U.S. Capitol Police that my Washington, DC office was the target of a suspicious package that has been referred to the FBI,” the California Democrat said in a press release. “I am appreciative of the law enforcement entities who intercepted the package and are investigating this matter. I unequivocally condemn any and all acts of violence and terror.”
Earlier Wednesday, numerous news outlets reported that explosive devices were addressed to Obama in Washington and Clinton's home in Chappaqua, New York. Those packages were also intercepted by law enforcement authorities.
CNN also reportedly received a similar package addressed to Obama’s Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan, which led to the evacuation of the Time Warner Center where CNN is based in New York City.
Both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have condemned the apparent targeting of prominent Democrats. A similar package was found at the home of billionaire philanthropist and liberal donor George Soros Monday, several news outlets reported.
Trump said “the full weight of our government is being deployed” to investigate, according to a White House pool report.
“Acts and threats of political violence have no place in the United States of America,” Trump said.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, also condemned the attacks in a statement.
“These explosive devices were not just aimed at government officials and news organizations but they were aimed, profoundly and disturbingly, at our American democracy,” Hensarling said. “All of us, from across America’s vast political spectrum, must condemn these attempts at political terror and intimidation in the strongest terms. This is America. We solve our political differences at the ballot box. Those who oppose our views are just that, opponents, not enemies, and they share in common the title of American citizen.”
