On Thursday, the FBI confirmed on Twitter that two suspicious packages addressed to the former vice president had been intercepted at mail facilities in Delaware.One was found at a postal center in New Castle, the Associated Press reported, and the other at a facility in Wilmington.
Both items were “similar in appearance” to a series of apparently connected packages that were addressed to prominent Democrats and critics of PresidentDonald Trumpthis week — including former presidentBarack Obama, former Secretary of StateHillary Clinton, the news network CNN, Democratic donorGeorge Soros, Rep. Maxine Waters, former CIA Director John Brennan, andactor Robert De Niro.
“If you have info that could assist the #FBI’s investigation of suspicious packages, call 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or use tips.fbi.gov,” the FBI tweeted on Thursday, adding a photo of one of the packages. “If you observe suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, call 911 or contact local law enforcement immediately.”
Biden, 75, has been a vocal critic of Trump since his 2016 campaign despite previously promisingformer President Barack Obamathat he would “remain silent for awhile to give this administration the chance to get up and running the first year.”
As Biden explained in September, all that went out the window after August 2017’s “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia —which resulted in the death of 32-year-old counter-protester Heather Heyer.Biden spoke out after Trump placed equal blame on the protesters (which included white supremacists and white nationalists) and the counter-protestors, saying there were “very fine people on both sides.”
Among his other criticisms, Biden hascalled the president a “joke”and called the Trump era “one of the most dangerous times in modern history.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden (left) and President Donald Trump.Ryan Pierse/Getty; GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty
Meanwhile, Trump has responded to the suspected pipe bomb mailings with mixed messages.
On Wednesday, he stood strong — condemning their terror.
“I just want to tell you that in these times we have to unify,” he said during an opioids event at the White House. “We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.”
“This egregious conduct is abhorrent to everything we hold dear and sacred as Americans,” Trump continued. “We are extremely angry [and] upset… We will get to the bottom of it.”
But on Thursday, Trump blamed the media for the surge of potentially dangerous mailings — saying the press was at fault for creating divisions in American society.
Members of Trump’s administration have been firmer on their messages.
First LadyMelania Trumptold a crowd on Wednesday: “We cannot tolerate these cowardly attacks, and I strongly condemn all who choose violence. I’m grateful to the Secret Service as well as the local and federal law enforcement for all they do on a daily basis to keep us safe and encourage people across the country to choose kindness over hatred.”
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted about the bomb threats, calling them “cowardly” and “despicable.” The president retweeted Pence’s remarks and simply responded, “I agree wholeheartedly!”
source: people.com
