Suspect arrested after explosive devices sent to Trump critics and CNN

By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha, Sophie Tatum, Eric Levenson, Brian Ries, Paul P. Murphy and Jessie Yeung, CNN

Updated 2:25 p.m. ET, November 5, 2018
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4:00 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Jeff Flake: The President shouldn't refer to the press as the "enemy of the people"

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake tells CNN's Chris Cuomo that if President Donald Trump "were to take a more civil tone, it would make a difference," adding that he "hopes that he does."

"The President shouldn't refer to the press as the 'enemy of the people,'" Flake said.

Flakes' comments were outside the Time Warner Center in New York, where CNN's offices are located. The building was evacuated earlier Wednesday after a bomb was sent to its address.

The bomb delivered to the Time Warner Center was one of several suspicious packages that were sent to various political figures, but intercepted on Wednesday.

Flake, who is not running for re-election, has been a harsh Republican critic of Trump.

Watch:

3:54 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

CNN President to President Trump, Sarah Sanders: Words matter

CNN President Jeff Zucker released a statement calling out President Donald Trump and White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

"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.

3:53 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Miami-Dade police bomb squad responding to new suspicious package

The Miami-Dade Police Department tells CNN that their bomb squad unit will be responding to a suspicious package that was addressed to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.

The Aventura Police Department said they were investigating the package out of "an abundance of caution."

3:51 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Rep. Maxine Waters confirms her DC office was target of suspicious package

Rep. Maxine Waters said her Washington DC office was the target of a suspicious package. The incident has since been referred to the FBI.

"I am appreciative of the law enforcement entities who intercepted the package and are investigating this matter," the congresswoman went on to say in a statement. "I unequivocally condemn any and all acts of violence and terror.”

Two law enforcement officials tell CNN that the package addressed to Waters had similarities to the other suspicious packages. One source said that belief was based on the timing, packaging and devices inside the packages. 

It was not clear if it was capable of exploding.

3:43 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Robot spotted at Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz's office

CNN crews in Sunrise, Florida, spotted a robot moving outside of Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz's office earlier today.

The congresswoman's office was evacuated after a suspicious package was mailed there this morning.

Two law enforcement sources tell CNN that the package was addressed to former Attorney General Eric Holder. It was returned to the Democratic congresswoman because that was the return label on the package, the sources said, adding that it was the same return address for the packages sent to Obama and Clinton.

WATCH:

3:50 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Time Warner Center in New York has reopened

The Time Warner Center in New York City, which had been evacuated earlier, has reopened and personnel is being allowed back in the building.

"The NYPD has concluded its security sweep, and it is now safe to return to the building," CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a company-wide email. "I so appreciate your patience, as I know what a long day this has been for all of you."

Watch as CNN's Chris Cuomo describes the scene:

3:19 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Device sent to Congresswoman Maxine Waters similar in ways to other devices

From CNN's Pamela Brown, MK Mallonee and Liz Landers

The package addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters had similarities to the other suspicious packages, according to two law enforcement sources.

One source said that belief was based on the timing, packaging and devices inside the packages. It was not clear if it was capable of exploding.

 

3:17 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Wisconsin governor responds to suspicious packages ahead of campaign rally with Trump

From CNN's Amanda Golden

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker responded to the "attempted terrorist act" in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, hours ahead of a campaign rally where President Donald Trump is set to join him.

3:14 p.m. ET, October 24, 2018

Retired FBI bomb tech: Even crude pipe bombs can be fatal

Retired FBI Special Agent and bomb technician Jim Maxwell said that even rudimentary and crudely made pipe bombs, such as those sent to political figures and CNN's New York office today, can still be extremely dangerous and fatal.

"Don't be lulled into thinking that just because this is a rudimentary device that this is not dangerous," he said.

For example, the Tsarnaev brothers carried out the Boston Marathon bombings using bombs partly made from fireworks to create an explosion.

"These types of devices, if they go off, can wreak a lot of havoc," he said.

Watch: