In this video screen shot, FBI agents cover a van being transported from Plantation, Florida, on October 26, 2018, that federal agents and police officers have been examining in connection with package bombs sent to CNN and high-profile critics of President Donald Trump. (WPLG-TV via AP)
New York–Federal authorities on Friday arrested a Florida man, identified as Cesar Sayoc, suspected of mailing 13 bombs addressed to prominent figures and critics of President Donald Trump, two of which were addressed care of CNN at their New York studio.
“It would be reckless and dangerous for President Trump to continue his rhetorical assaults on the press and branding of journalists as enemies of the people after this spate of package bombs aimed at political figures and CNN,” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney.
“While we cannot say that Trump’s speech directly incites violence, it is clear that some people are influenced by it. Journalists across the country feel unsafe because of the constant hostility and belittling of their role in our democracy by the head of state. It needs to stop.”
CNN’s New York City studios were on Thursday evacuated today after an explosive device was delivered to the broadcaster’s offices, according to CNN.
The device was addressed to John Brennan, a former CIA director and frequent guest on CNN news programs, who is also a national security analyst for MSNBC, CNN reported. The mail bomb is the latest in a series of attacks and threats against newsrooms that CPJ has tracked in the U.S.
At a press conference today, President Donald Trump described the mail bombs as “terrorizing acts” and said that a federal investigation was underway.