Biodun.BBC: BREAKING: 'Explosive devices' sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN, and other US officials

Media captionDonald Trump: Threats of any kind have no place in the United States of America"

by Tamara Kachelmeier and Biodun Iginla, BBC News Security and Technology reporters, New York

(This is a breaking story. Please come back here for more details.)

Suspected explosive devices have been sent to top Democrats including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, as well as CNN, US officials have said.

It comes two days after a pipe bomb was found at the home of liberal philanthropist and financier George Soros in the suburbs of New York City.

CNN's New York office was evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspected bomb was sent to their mailroom.

President Donald Trump said that these threats "have no place in America".

Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump said that he has been briefed by the FBI and "a major federal investigation is now under way".

"The safety of the American people is my highest and absolute priority," he said.

"In these times we just have to unify. We need to come together and send one very clear unmistakable message that threats or acts of political violence of any kind have no place in America."

Image captionAn image of the bomb that was sent to CNN

When asked about the pattern of these attempted attacks, during a news conference, New York Police Commissioner O'Neill said law enforcement is proactively contacting people to ensure other mail rooms "follow proper protocol".

The FBI in New York said they were aware of the suspected packages, and that their Joint Terrorism Task force is aiding in the investigation.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio decried the attempted attacks as "an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country".

"To all public officials, to all partisan affiliations - don't encourage violence, don't encourage hatred, don't encourage attacks on media you can disagree but you have to show respect."

Who has been sent these packages?

The packages were addressed to former President Obama, ex-Secretary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan.

Additional suspicious packages addressed to Democratic Representative Maxine Waters and former Attorney General Eric Holder are currently being investigated by law enforcement.

Media captionCuomo: "What is not good is overheated rhetoric and extremism that pushes people to violence."

The packages to Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton were intended to arrive at their residences.

FBI Special Agent Bryan Paarman told reporters the device for Mr Brennan, which appeared to be live, had been sent to CNN's mailroom.

One of the packages sent had listed Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, as the sender.

The package intended for Mr Holder was sent to an incorrect address and returned to the congresswoman's office in Sunrise, Florida, US media say.

Mr Brennan was scheduled to appear on CNN on Wednesday, US media report. Mr Brennan, is a frequent contributor to the network and has become a vocal critic of Mr Trump since leaving office.

Image captionThe Time Warner building in New York City was evacuated on Wednesday morning

According to a statement from the US Secret Service, the package addressed to Mrs Clinton was recovered late on 23 October.

"Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of Former President Barack Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, DC," the statement adds.

"Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them."

These attempted attacks come two days after a confirmed pipe bomb was discovered in a mailbox at the home of Mr Soros, who has been criticised by right-wing groups for supporting liberal causes.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had said a suspicious package had been sent to his office, but New York police told the BBC "it was a thumb drive and is not related to other events".

What was in the packages?

The devices are suspected to be pipe bombs.

Law enforcement officials tell US media that the device discovered at CNN on Wednesday appears to be similar to the one found at Mr Soros' home on Monday.

Police commissioner Mr O'Neill also said law enforcement found an "envelope containing white powder" in the packaging of the device sent to CNN.

The powder is being investigated, but authorities found "no additional threats" after sweeping the area.

A US official told the Associated Press that a "functional explosive device" was found during a screening of mail sent to the home of Mr and Mrs Clinton in Chappaqua, New York.

Image captionBill and Hillary Clinton's home in Chappaqua, New York

Speaking at a campaign event in Florida, Mrs Clinton thanked the Secret Service and said she and her family "are fine".

"It is a troubling time," she said. "It is a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together. We also have to elect candidates who will try to do the same."

A spokeswoman for Mr Obama declined to comment on the incident, and referred reporters to the Secret Service statement.

In a statement, Ms Waters thanked law enforcement and said she "unequivocally condemn[s] any and all acts of violence and terror".

Image captionAdditional police were seen outside the Washington DC home of Mr Obama

What's the reaction?

Media captionPence: 'Those responsible will be brought to justice'

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders condemned the "attempted violent attacks" against the public figures.

In a follow-up tweet, she added that the White House condemnation "certainly includes threats made to CNN as well as current or former public servants".

But CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker criticised the president and Mrs Sanders in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," he said.

"The president, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far they have shown no comprehension of that."

The president has repeatedly called journalists the "enemy of the people".

In a joint statement, top Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer also said the president's words "ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence".

Image captionThe Obama home in Washington DC

The US President's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, who received a suspicious package at his New York home earlier this year, tweeted: "As someone whose family has directly been the victim of these mail threats I condemn whoever did this regardless of party or ideology."

His sister, Ivanka Trump, also condemned the "acts of violence", while First Lady Melania Trump called them "cowardly", adding "I strongly condemn all that choose violence".

Chelsea Clinton, the only child of Bill and Hillary Clinton, tweeted: "Every day, I am grateful to the women and men of the United States Secret Service. Thank you."