Hours after a live explosive device was found at its New York City headquarters, CNN president Jeff Zucker called out the Trump White House for its rhetoric against the media.
“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media. The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter,” said Zucker in a statement. “Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that.”
A live explosive device was sent to CNN’s New York office on Wednesday, and suspicious packages were found at the residences of the Clintons, the Obamas and George Soros. Time Warner Center, where CNN’s offices and studios are located, was evacuated Wednesday morning. Following a lengthy security sweep by the New York Police Department, CNN staffers were allowed back into the building in the afternoon.
Statement from CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker: pic.twitter.com/OXyIT6oSLT
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) October 24, 2018
During a news conference, Trump vowed to “get to the bottom” of the mysterious packages, saying that political violence has no place in the United States. The fact that all of them are political opponents of Trump brought calls for him to explicitly condemn the threats. In his first lengthy remarks on the packages, Trump didn’t mention the intended recipients by name, referencing only “current and former high-ranking government officials.”
CNN reported that the suspicious package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, a frequent Trump critic. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer noted on the air that Brennan is “a contributor to MSNBC and NBC News, but not CNN.” In addition to the explosive device, NYPD officers found an envelope containing “white powder” in the package.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said a suspicious package was discovered at his Manhattan office Wednesday.