2018 United States mail bombing attempts

{{Short description|none}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = 2018 United States mail bombing attempts | partof = | image = Suspicious-package-exterior-oct-2018.jpg | caption = One of the envelopes that contained explosives<ref>{{cite press release|title=Statement on the FBI's Investigation of Suspicious Packages|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/statement-on-the-fbis-investigation-of-suspicious-packages|publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025005530/https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/statement-on-the-fbis-investigation-of-suspicious-packages|archive-date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | map = | location = United States | target = CNN and thirteen Democratic Party members and prominent critics of U.S. President Donald Trump<ref name="RashbaumFeurerOct25">{{cite news|last1=Rashbaum|first1=William K.|last2=Feuer|first2=Alan|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|title=Pipe Bombs Investigation Turns Toward Florida as More Trump Critics Are Targeted|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/nyregion/bomb-explosive-device.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025212719/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/nyregion/bomb-explosive-device.html|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wootson Jr.|first1=Cleve R.|last2=Horton|first2=Alex|title=Bomb timeline: What we know about the 10 devices sent to prominent Democrats, Trump critics|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/25/bomb-timeline-list-people-targeted-with-packages-devices/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026005723/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/25/bomb-timeline-list-people-targeted-with-packages-devices/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | coordinates = | date = {{Start date|2018|10|22}} – {{End date|2018|11|1}} | time = | timezone = | type = Attempted mail bombings, domestic terrorism | fatalities = 0 | injuries = 0 | victims = | perp = Cesar Sayoc Jr.<ref name=guiltyplea/> | weapons = Pipe bombs | numparts =  | dfens =  | inquiry = | convicted = | verdict = | litigation = | module = | motive = Pro-Trump, far-right extremism {{xref|(see also {{slink||Motives}})}} }}

From October 22 to November 1, 2018, 16 packages found to contain pipe bombs were mailed via the U.S. Postal Service to several Democratic Party politicians and other prominent critics of U.S. President Donald Trump. Targets included former U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Other people who were sent packages included three Democratic members of Congress: Representative Maxine Waters, Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris; former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, two former intelligence chiefs: ex-CIA Director John Brennan and ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; two billionaire Democratic donors and activists: George Soros and Tom Steyer; and actor Robert De Niro.<ref name="RashbaumFeurerOct25" /><ref name="CS-20181026">{{cite news |last1=Fagenson |first1=Zachary |last2=Woodall |first2=Bernie |title=Florida man charged in connection with 14 mail bombs sent to Trump critics |url=https://www.compuserve.com/news/story/0002/20181026/KCN1MZ1CP_41 |date=October 26, 2018 |work=CompuServe |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061634/https://www.compuserve.com/news/story/0002/20181026/KCN1MZ1CP_41 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=Fox2018-10-26B>{{cite news|url=https://fox8.com/2018/10/26/breakdown-on-explosive-packages-where-they-were-sent-and-what-was-inside/|title=Breakdown on explosive packages, where they were sent and what was inside|agency=Associated Press|date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026191904/https://fox8.com/2018/10/26/breakdown-on-explosive-packages-where-they-were-sent-and-what-was-inside/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|quote=Federal authorities took a Florida man into custody Friday in connection with the mail-bomb scare that earlier widened to 14 suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats from coast to coast.}}</ref><ref name=sfgate>{{cite news|title=Sen. Kamala Harris, Tom Steyer targeted by pipe bombs, FBI investigating|url=https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Sen-Kamala-Harris-Tom-Steyer-receive-suspicious-13339589.php|publisher=SFGate|language=en-us|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026215202/https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Sen-Kamala-Harris-Tom-Steyer-receive-suspicious-13339589.php|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> One package was addressed only to CNN and sent to its world headquarters.<ref name=atlanta/><ref name=atlanta2/><ref name=atlanta3/>

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies coordinated their investigations of the attempted bombings.<ref name="RashbaumFeurerOct25" /> All sixteen confirmed bombs sent were improvised explosive devices,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/10/26/suspicious-packages-bombs-not-hoax-devices-wray-fbi-nr-vpx.cnn|title=Wray: 13 bombs sent are not hoax devices|work=CNN Video|date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027021717/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/10/26/suspicious-packages-bombs-not-hoax-devices-wray-fbi-nr-vpx.cnn|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> though none had a trigger mechanism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bojorquez |first1=Manuel |title=Package bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc had list of 100 names in van, official says |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cesar-sayoc-package-bomb-suspect-had-hit-list-in-van-latest-updates-today-2018-10-29/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=CBS News |date=29 October 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015101/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cesar-sayoc-package-bomb-suspect-had-hit-list-in-van-latest-updates-today-2018-10-29/ |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> None of the devices exploded outside a controlled setting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Judge Orders Pipe Bomb Suspect Cesar Sayoc Held Without Bail |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664796199/judge-orders-pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-held-without-bail |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=NPR |date=6 November 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145410/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664796199/judge-orders-pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-held-without-bail |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Cesar Altieri Sayoc, Jr. was arrested in Florida on October 26, held without bail, and charged with five federal crimes the following week.<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news|author1=Evan Perez|author2=Mark Morales|author3=Shimon Prokupecz|author4=Brynn Gingras|author5=Karl de Vries|title=Arrest made in connection to suspicious packages|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cory-booker-package/index.html?no-st=1540586038|work=CNN|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026215201/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cory-booker-package/index.html?no-st=1540586038|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=arraignment/> The FBI investigated the case as domestic terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Kara Scannell|author2=Evan Perez|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/bombs-investigation/index.html|title=The manhunt: FBI treating serial bomber as domestic terrorism|work=CNN|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025222420/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/bombs-investigation/index.html|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 21, 2019, Sayoc pleaded guilty to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack. He was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison on August 5, 2019, and will be eligible for release as early as November 10, 2035.<ref name=sentence>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/cesar-sayoc-who-mailed-explosive-devices-to-trumps-critics-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison/2019/08/05/cf4b56e2-b79a-11e9-bad6-609f75bfd97f_story.html |title=Cesar Sayoc, who mailed explosive devices to Trump's critics, sentenced to 20 years in prison |date=August 5, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref>

==Mailings== ===Monday, October 22=== The first suspicious package containing such a device was found in the mailbox at the home of Democratic donor George Soros in Katonah, New York.<ref>{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Kelly|title=Explosive device found near home of billionaire investor George Soros|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/us/suspicious-package-george-soros/index.html|publisher=CNN|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024004441/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/us/suspicious-package-george-soros/index.html|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Soros, who is regularly the subject of conspiracy theories and threats by right-wing extremists, was absent. The employee who found the device carried it to a wooded area, where bomb squad officers safely detonated it.<ref>{{cite news |title=George Soros: Bomb squad destroy explosive device near billionaire's home |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45949737 |access-date=October 24, 2018 |work=BBC News |date=October 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024001020/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45949737 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Tuesday, October 23=== A package containing a device, addressed to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (misspelled as "Hilary"), was intercepted by the Secret Service during a mail screening in Chappaqua, New York.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|last=Pitofsky|first=Marina|title=Suspicious packages sent to Clintons, Obamas, CNN: What we know so far|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 24, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024161609/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/everything-we-know-mail-bombs/index.html Here's everything we know after studying the mail bomb packages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028150852/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/everything-we-know-mail-bombs/index.html |date=October 28, 2018 }} CNN, October 26, 2018</ref> A former U.S. Senator from New York and the First Lady of former President Bill Clinton, she was President Donald Trump's main opponent in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

===Wednesday, October 24=== A device addressed to former President Barack Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service during a mail screening in Washington, D.C.<ref name="auto2"/>

Additionally, a package containing an explosive and suspicious powder was found in CNN's mail room in the Time Warner Center in New York City, addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan (misspelled as "Brenan").<ref name=cnnpackage /> CNN reported that law enforcement said the package was delivered by courier.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last1=de Vries |last2=Perez |last3=Prokupecz |first1=Karl |first2=Evan |first3=Shimon |title='Act of terror': Bombs sent to CNN, Clintons, Obamas, Holder |website=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/24/politics/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-chappaqua/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024201500/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/24/politics/bill-clinton-hillary-clinton-chappaqua/index.html |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |date=October 24, 2018 }}</ref> Brennan has served as a senior national security and intelligence analyst for NBC News and MSNBC since February 2018, but has also appeared on CNN.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ex-cia-chief-john-brennan-signs-as-msnbc-nbc-as-contributor/|title=Ex-CIA Chief John Brennan Signs as MSNBC/NBC as Contributor|date=February 2, 2018|publisher=TheWrap|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204054809/https://www.thewrap.com/ex-cia-chief-john-brennan-signs-as-msnbc-nbc-as-contributor/|archive-date=February 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The bomb alarm occurred during ''CNN Newsroom'' with Poppy Harlow and Jim Sciutto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs87ARqHnio|title=Watch CNN Anchors Report On Their Own Office Being Evacuated Over Pipe Bomb – NBC News|access-date=October 25, 2018|author=NBC News|publisher=www.nbc.com|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025002337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs87ARqHnio|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with their colleagues Kate Bolduan and Athena Jones, reporters Harlow and Sciutto left the building, but continued to report via Skype over a cellphone line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cpj.org/2018/10/cnn-mail-bomb-is-latest-case-of-attacks-and-threat.php|title=CNN mail bomb is latest case of attacks and threats against US news rooms|date=October 24, 2018|access-date=October 25, 2018|publisher=www.cpj.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190521/https://cpj.org/2018/10/cnn-mail-bomb-is-latest-case-of-attacks-and-threat.php|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/KateBolduan/status/1055190600901910531|title=Part of my amazing team that literally put a show on tv today via a cellphone and a Skype connection. Love you guys.|last=Bolduan|first=Kate|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028061745/https://twitter.com/KateBolduan/status/1055190600901910531|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=October 25, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/24/18019236/pipe-bomb-removal-nypd-nyc-obama-clinton-cnn|title=How police use a 'total containment vessel' to haul away explosive devices|access-date=October 25, 2018|publisher=www.theverge.com|author=Andrew J. Hawkins|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024201238/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/24/18019236/pipe-bomb-removal-nypd-nyc-obama-clinton-cnn|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A suspicious package addressed to U.S. Representative Maxine Waters was intercepted by United States Capitol Police.<ref name="cnn" /><ref name="Investigating">{{cite news|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|title=Suspected mail bombs sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN building and others intercepted|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/24/feds-investigating-suspicious-package-near-clintons-new-york-home-nbc.html|publisher=CNBC|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024181302/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/24/feds-investigating-suspicious-package-near-clintons-new-york-home-nbc.html|archive-date=October 24, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Another suspicious package addressed to Waters resulted in the evacuation of a U.S. Postal Service facility in Los Angeles.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|last=Winton|first=Richard|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-waters-la-mail-20181024-story.html|title=Package addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters prompts evacuation of South L.A. mail facility|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025012242/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-waters-la-mail-20181024-story.html|archive-date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A package addressed to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, with a bad address, was returned to the purported sender, the office of former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman and current U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Sunrise, Florida.<ref name="cnn" /><ref name="ABC">{{cite news|author1=Josh Margolin|author2=Bill Hutchinson|author3=Aaron Katersky|author4=Meghan Keneally|author5=Jack Date|author6=Tara Palmeri|author7=Mike Levine|author8=Pierre Thomas|author9=Julia Jacobo|author10=Karma Allen|title=Explosive devices sent to Clinton, Obama, other Democrats, and CNN|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspicious-package-found-clintons-home-north-york-city/story?id=58713254|date=October 24, 2018|publisher=ABC News|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152425/https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspicious-package-found-clintons-home-north-york-city/story?id=58713254|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Thursday, October 25=== In the early morning hours, a package was found in Tribeca, New York City, addressed to actor, producer and director Robert De Niro, via his company Tribeca Productions. De Niro had previously expressed criticism of Trump.<ref name="deniro">{{cite news|author1=Jonathan Dienst|author2=Joe Valiquette|author3=Marc Santia|author4=Jennifer Millman|author5=Benjamin Carroll|title=Two Suspicious Packages Addressed to Joe Biden Seized in Delaware, One Sent to Robert De Niro in New York|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/Pipe-Bombs-Clinton-Obama-Soros-Waters-CNN-Time-Warner-Holder-Brennan-498490732.html|publisher=NBC New York|date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025145054/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/investigations/Pipe-Bombs-Clinton-Obama-Soros-Waters-CNN-Time-Warner-Holder-Brennan-498490732.html|archive-date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Authorities also found a package in New Castle, Delaware, addressed to then former Vice President Joe Biden with his full name, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. It was returned to the post office due to insufficient postage, and examined because of the other packages.<ref name="delaware">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/two-new-pipe-bombs-said-to-target-joe-biden/|title=Two new pipe bombs said to target Joe Biden|last=Ockerman|first=Emma|date=October 25, 2018|work=Vice News|access-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028210918/https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/xw9bxd/two-new-pipe-bombs-said-to-target-joe-biden|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A second package intended for Biden, but addressed incorrectly, was found at a facility in Wilmington, Delaware.<ref name=delaware /> The Miami-Dade Police Department and federal authorities believed that several of the packages would have passed through a mail processing and distribution center in Opa-locka, Florida; they searched the facility for evidence with a bomb squad and K-9 unit.<ref name="auto">[https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/clintons-obama-suspicious-packages/index.html Bomb squad called to assist in package investigation at Florida mail facility] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025180012/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/clintons-obama-suspicious-packages/index.html |date=October 25, 2018 }} CNN, October 25, 2018</ref>

===Friday, October 26=== Authorities found four packages similar to previous packages. One addressed to former National Intelligence Director James Clapper (which, like the one sent to John Brennan, had CNN's Time Warner Center address) was found in a New York City postal facility, while another, addressed to U.S. Senator Cory Booker, was found in a Florida postal facility.<ref name="bookerclapper">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/46514c3eb6fb474c9ac1df2c24b0acf5|title=More suspicious packages found, these to Booker, Clapper|last1=Balsamo|first1=Michael|date=October 26, 2018|work=AP NEWS|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026081736/https://apnews.com/46514c3eb6fb474c9ac1df2c24b0acf5|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|last2=Tucker|first2=Eric|last3=Long|first3=Colleen}}</ref>

Authorities also found a bomb addressed to then-U.S. Senator Kamala Harris in Sacramento, California. A device addressed to billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democratic donor who frequently appeared in ads encouraging Congress to impeach President Trump on CNN, was intercepted by a postal worker at a sorting facility in Burlingame, California.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/california/Suspicious-Package-Sent-to-Kamala-Harris-in-Sacramento-498684491.html|title=Suspicious Packages Sent to Sen. Kamala Harris, Tom Steyer Tied to Mail Bomb Suspect: FBI|author1=Riya Bhattacharjee|author2=Andrew Blankstein|author3=Kristofer Noceda|date=October 26, 2018|work=NBC San Diego|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026192543/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/california/Suspicious-Package-Sent-to-Kamala-Harris-in-Sacramento-498684491.html|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Monday, October 29=== CNN President Jeff Zucker issued an alert to employees that a suspicious package sent to the CNN Center was found at a post office in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name=atlanta2>[https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/1056913518367260674/photo/1 CNN Communications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030222526/https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/1056913518367260674/photo/1 |date=October 30, 2018 }} Twitter, October 29, 2018</ref> Jim Sciutto posted a picture of the package on Twitter and it was similar to the others.<ref name=atlanta3>[https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1056935360670916608/photo/1 New: Package to CNN intercepted today similar to others sent by Sayoc. Image here:] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219225441/https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1056935360670916608/photo/1 |date=February 19, 2019 }} Jim Sciutto on Twitter</ref> Unlike the other two sent to CNN, it was not addressed to a specific person.<ref name=atlanta>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181101145909/https://www.ajc.com/news/just-fbi-bomb-squad-investigating-suspicious-package-addressed-cnn/L6NpEBcEjcKySA2oeBocjM/ BREAKING: Suspicious package addressed to CNN intercepted at Atlanta post office, official says] ''Atlanta-Journal Constitution'', October 29, 2018</ref> President Trump has frequently criticized CNN and its employees in derogatory terms.<ref name=youtube>{{Citation|work=CNN|title=Trump clashes with Jim Acosta in testy exchange|date=November 7, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdFe-LmFRV8|access-date=November 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgFZXAVQuUw Trump's Orlando Crowd Erupts Into A “CNN Sucks” Chant] The DC Shorts on YouTube June 18, 2019</ref>

===Thursday, November 1=== A second package addressed to Steyer was intercepted at the same postal facility in Burlingame, California.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-steyer-sent-another-suspicious-package_us_5bdcbff7e4b09d43e31ef29c Another Suspicious Package Sent To Trump Target Tom Steyer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111223014/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tom-steyer-sent-another-suspicious-package_us_5bdcbff7e4b09d43e31ef29c |date=November 11, 2018 }} ''Huffington Post'', November 2, 2018</ref>

===Summary=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Summary of incidents<ref name="Fox2018-10-26B" /> ! scope="col" |Date ! scope="col" |Intended target ! scope="col" |Title/description (most recently/at the time) ! scope="col" |Location discovered |- ! scope="row" |October 22 | align="center" |75px George Soros |Founder of the Open Society Foundations |Katonah, New York (Soros residence) |- ! scope="row" |October 23 | align="center" |75px Hillary Clinton |Former U.S. Secretary of State |Chappaqua, New York (intercepted by Secret Service) |- ! rowspan="5" scope="row" |October 24 | align="center" |75px Barack Obama |Former U.S. President |Washington, D.C. (intercepted by Secret Service) |- | align="center" |75px Eric Holder |Former U.S. Attorney General |Sunrise, Florida (office of Debbie Wasserman Schultz) |- | rowspan="2" align="center" |75px Maxine Waters | rowspan="2" |U.S. Representative (D-CA) |Washington, D.C. (Capitol Hill post office) |- |Los Angeles (postal facility) |- | align="center" |75px John Brennan |Former CIA Director |New York City (Time Warner Center) |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" |October 25 | rowspan="2" align="center" |75px Joe Biden | rowspan="2" |Former U.S. Vice President |New Castle, Delaware (post office) |- |Wilmington, Delaware (post office) |- | align="center" |75px Robert De Niro |Actor |New York City (office of TriBeCa Productions) |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" |October 26 | align="center" |75px James Clapper |Former Director of National Intelligence |New York City (post office) |- | align="center" |75px Cory Booker |U.S. Senator (D-NJ) |Opa-locka, Florida (postal facility) |- | align="center" |75px Kamala Harris |U.S. Senator (D-CA) |Sacramento, California (postal facility) |- ! scope="row" |October 26 and November 1 | align="center" |75px Tom Steyer |Billionaire investor |Burlingame, California (postal facility) |- ! scope="row" |October 29 | align="center" |75px CNN Center |CNN's world headquarters |Atlanta, Georgia (post office) |}

== Devices and envelopes == [[File:Debbie Wasserman Schultz official photo.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz's name and Florida office address were on the return label of all of the packages.]]

According to ''The New York Times'', the device sent to Soros's house was constructed from a length of PVC pipe about {{convert|6|in|spell=in}} long, filled with explosive powder. It was proactively detonated by bomb squad technicians.<ref name="Coaston 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/24/18018256/explosive-device-bomb-clinton-obama-cnn-soros|title=Someone sent explosive devices to the Clintons and Obamas. Here's what we know.|last1=Coaston|first1=Jane|date=October 24, 2018|work=Vox|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028211233/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/24/18018256/explosive-device-bomb-clinton-obama-cnn-soros|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|last2=Stewart|first2=Emily|last3=Kirby|first3=Jen}}</ref> Authorities reported that the devices recovered on October 24 were packed with shards of glass.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rice|first=Doyle|title=More bomb-like devices found, 1 near Robert De Niro's offices in NYC and 2 addressed to Joe Biden in Delaware|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/25/suspicious-packages-new-york/1759734002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=October 25, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025163431/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/25/suspicious-packages-new-york/1759734002/|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A law enforcement official told reporters that the devices sent to Clinton and Obama were similar in design to the one that was sent to Soros.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-explosive-devices-20181024-story.html|title=Potential explosive devices sent to Obama, Hillary Clinton, former CIA chief John Brennan and former Atty. Gen. Holder – Los Angeles Times|author1=Noah Bierman|author2=Del Quentin Wilber|author3=Richard Winton|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024173015/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-explosive-devices-20181024-story.html|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Associated Press, a law enforcement official said tests have determined that white powder found inside an envelope delivered to CNN, along with a pipe bomb, was not viable.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hays |first1=Tom |title=The Latest: 2 suspicious packages addressed to Rep. Waters |url=https://www.apnews.com/5c93ac06309c4ce88e8cd5023f89feca |access-date=October 25, 2018 |work=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024235524/https://www.apnews.com/5c93ac06309c4ce88e8cd5023f89feca |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45969100|title='Explosive devices' sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN, and other US officials|date=October 24, 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=October 24, 2018|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024150059/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45969100|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The bombs contained pyrotechnic powder but lacked a triggering mechanism; the FBI described them as "potentially destructive devices."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/bombs-clinton-obama-waters-biden/index.html Investigators search Florida mail facility for clues to bombmaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026061636/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/bombs-clinton-obama-waters-biden/index.html |date=October 26, 2018 }} CNN, October 25, 2018</ref> Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that the devices contained batteries and timers but were not rigged to explode when they were opened. The officials said they were still trying to determine if the devices were shoddily constructed or simply intended as threats to sow fear.<ref>[https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/de-niro-biden-packages-h24953 As national bomb probe continues, authorities turn focus to Florida] ''Newsday'', October 25, 2018</ref>

At a press conference following the arrest of the suspect, FBI Director Christopher Wray described the bombs as improvised explosive devices, stating that they were "not hoax devices".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Berman |first2=Mark |last3=Zapotosky |first3=Matt |title=Man in Florida arrested, charged in connection with 13 mail bombs sent to public figures |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/suspected-explosive-devices-addressed-cory-booker-james-clapper-probe-expands-packages/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=October 26, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026152845/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/suspected-explosive-devices-addressed-cory-booker-james-clapper-probe-expands-packages/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

All of the devices were sent in yellow manila envelopes lined with bubble wrap. They each had a printed address label and six Forever stamps,<ref name="Coaston 2018" /> as well as the return address of U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office in Sunrise, Florida. All of the return addresses contained the same spelling errors: Schultz was misspelled "Shultz" and Florida was misspelled "Florids".<ref name=ABC /> Each set of labels was typed in all capital letters. The packages were furnished with a meme parody of the ISIL flag with the inscription "{{sic|Git 'Er}} Done",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/02/29/how-a-catchphrase-can-help-or-hurt-a-comedians-career-git-r-done-and-beyond/|title=How a catchphrase can help or hurt a comedian's career: 'Git R Done' and beyond|work=The Denver Post|access-date=October 26, 2018|language=en-US|date=May 1, 2016|author=John Wenzel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030090648/https://www.denverpost.com/2012/02/29/how-a-catchphrase-can-help-or-hurt-a-comedians-career-git-r-done-and-beyond/|archive-date=October 30, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> a catchphrase of standup comedian Larry the Cable Guy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Explosive device sent to CNN featured parody ISIS flag, 'Get Er Done' inscription |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/explosive-device-sent-cnn-featured-parody-isis-flag-get-er-n924166 |access-date=October 25, 2018 |agency=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025012234/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/explosive-device-sent-cnn-featured-parody-isis-flag-get-er-n924166 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Photographs of the packages meant for CNN were posted to Twitter by staffers for Jim Sciutto and Jim Acosta.<ref name="cnnpackage">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1055148005970665472|title=Breaking: photo of package containing live explosive device sent to CNN|last=Sciutto|first=Jim|date=October 24, 2018|website=Twitter|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025215751/https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1055148005970665472|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Photos of the bomb and package sent to CNN|url=https://twitter.com/Acosta/status/1055147149158219778|website=Twitter|access-date=October 24, 2018|language=en|date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024184445/https://twitter.com/Acosta/status/1055147149158219778|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=atlanta3/>

== Investigation == The FBI led the investigation, with assistance from the United States Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the United States Postal Inspection Service; the New York, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade, and Atlanta police departments; and other law enforcement agencies.<ref name=ABC /><ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.local10.com/news/florida/opa-locka/mail-bomb-plot-investigation-continues-in-opa-locka|title=Mail-bomb plot investigation continues in Opa-locka|author=Christian De La Rosa, Andrea Torres|agency=Associated Press|website=www.local10.com|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026133306/https://www.local10.com/news/florida/opa-locka/mail-bomb-plot-investigation-continues-in-opa-locka|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Images of envelopes taken by the U.S. Postal Service's Mail Isolation Control and Tracking system have been examined as part of the investigation.<ref name="RashbaumFeurerOct25" />

Several of the mail bomb packages were sent to the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for inspection.<ref name="RashbaumFeurerOct25" /> A fingerprint found on one of the packages and DNA on two other packages pointed to Sayoc as the suspect.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fingerprint-dna-and-cellphone-tracking-led-investigators-to-mail-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc/|title=Fingerprint, DNA and cellphone tracking led investigators to mail bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc|last=Pegues|first=Jeff|date=October 26, 2018|work=CBS News|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027014101/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fingerprint-dna-and-cellphone-tracking-led-investigators-to-mail-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was identified through video surveillance near a South Florida post office, and located by tracking his cell phone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45986664|title=Mail bombs: FBI investigators check Florida leads|date=October 26, 2018|work=BBC|access-date=October 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026012141/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45986664|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 26, Sayoc was arrested in the parking lot of an AutoZone store in Plantation, Florida,<ref name="CNN 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/suspicious-packages-arrest/index.html|title=Bomb suspect arrest: What we know about Cesar Sayoc|author1=Jason Hanna |author2=Evan Perez |author3=Scott Glover|work=CNN|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026165125/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/suspicious-packages-arrest/index.html|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/how-alleged-bomber-cesar-sayoc-was-caught/index.html How the alleged bomber was caught] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112060959/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/how-alleged-bomber-cesar-sayoc-was-caught/index.html |date=November 12, 2018 }} CNN, October 29, 2018</ref> in connection with the series of explosive devices sent to several individuals.<ref name="NYT-20181026" /><ref name="WSJ-20181026" /><ref name="CNN-20181026" />

== Perpetrator== {{anchor|Cesar Sayoc}}

{{Infobox criminal | name = Cesar Sayoc Jr. | image = Cesar Sayoc mug shot 2015-08-30.jpg | image_size = 150px | image_caption = A mugshot of Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr. in 2015 | birth_name = Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|3|17}} | birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | education = Brevard College University of North Carolina at Charlotte | alma_mater = | height = | weight = | parents = | relatives = | criminal_status = Incarcerated at FCI Coleman Low, earliest possible release date November 10, 2035 | sentence = 20 years imprisonment | criminal_charge = {{plainlist|65, including: *Interstate transportation of an explosive *Illegal mailing of explosives *Threats against former presidents and certain other persons *Threatening interstate communications *Assaulting federal officers }} }}

'''Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr.''' (born March 17, 1962)<ref>[https://bklyner.com/suspected-mail-bomber-grew-up-in-brooklyn-was-he-your-neighbor/ Suspected Mail Bomber Grew Up In Brooklyn. Was He Your Neighbor?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028074137/https://bklyner.com/suspected-mail-bomber-grew-up-in-brooklyn-was-he-your-neighbor/|date=October 28, 2018}} ''Bklyner'', October 26, 2018</ref> was born in Brooklyn and moved to Florida as a child.<ref name=usatoday/> His father is a Filipino immigrant and his mother was born in the Bronx, of Italian descent.<ref>[https://heavy.com/news/2018/10/cesar-sayoc-family-wife-a-photo/https://heavy.com/news/2018/10/cesar-sayoc-family-wife-a-photo/ Cesar Sayoc's Family: Suspect's Father Was an Immigrant], Heavy.com, October 26, 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/who-is-cesar-altieri-sayoc-what-we-know-about-suspected-mail-bomber-arrested-florida/ Who is Cesar Sayoc? What we know about the suspected mail bomber arrested in Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026201117/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/who-is-cesar-altieri-sayoc-what-we-know-about-suspected-mail-bomber-arrested-florida/ |date=October 26, 2018 }} ''The Washington Post'', October 26, 2018</ref> His father abandoned him and his mother when Sayoc was a child.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cesar-sayoc-found-a-father-in-trump-family-attorney-ron-lwoy-tells-anderson-cooper_us_5bd3c1cae4b0d38b58838a00 "Cesar Sayoc 'Found A Father In Trump', Family Attorney Tells Anderson Cooper"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027112929/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cesar-sayoc-found-a-father-in-trump-family-attorney-ron-lwoy-tells-anderson-cooper_us_5bd3c1cae4b0d38b58838a00 |date=October 27, 2018 }} ''Huffington Post'', October 25, 2018</ref>

Sayoc graduated from North Miami Beach High School in 1980.<ref name=usatoday>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/26/who-cesar-sayoc-florida-man-arrested-bomb-like-devices/1774140002/ What we know about Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man suspected of mailing more than a dozen bombs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026203226/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/26/who-cesar-sayoc-florida-man-arrested-bomb-like-devices/1774140002/ |date=October 26, 2018 }} ''USA Today'', October 26, 2018</ref> He attended Brevard College for three semesters starting that year and transferred to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1983 where he played on the school's soccer team but did not declare a major.<ref name=oregonlive/>

His last known address was that of his mother's house in Aventura, Florida, but Sayoc was living in his van at the time of his arrest.<ref name="CNN-20181026" /><ref name="auto1">[https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/27/politics/mail-bomb-investigation/index.html 4-day manhunt for suspect ends in arrest, but search for more mail bombs isn't over] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027105456/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/27/politics/mail-bomb-investigation/index.html |date=October 27, 2018 }}, Ralph Ellis, CNN, October 27, 2018</ref>

Sayoc has a long criminal history.<ref name="WP-20181026">{{cite news |last1=Wootson |first1=Cleve R. |last2=Zapotosky |first2=Matt |last3=Berman |first3=Mark |last4=Gowen |first4=Annie |title=Who is Cesar Altieri Sayoc? What we know about the suspected mail bomber arrested in Florida. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/who-is-cesar-altieri-sayoc-what-we-know-about-suspected-mail-bomber-arrested-florida/ |date=October 26, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026201117/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/10/26/who-is-cesar-altieri-sayoc-what-we-know-about-suspected-mail-bomber-arrested-florida/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, he pleaded guilty to calling in a bomb threat to Florida Power & Light.<ref name=Fox2018-10-26>{{cite news|url=https://fox8.com/2018/10/26/package-bomb-suspect-identified-as-cesar-sayoc/|title=LIVE VIDEO: DOJ provides new information on package bomb suspect|work=Fox 8|date= October 26, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026191048/https://fox8.com/2018/10/26/package-bomb-suspect-identified-as-cesar-sayoc/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|quote=Sayoc was sentenced in August 2002 for threatening to throw a bomb in a conversation with a Florida utility representative, according to Ronald Lowy, a Miami attorney who represented him. Dade County court records showed Sayoc served a year's probation after a judge signed a discharge certificate in November 2002.}}</ref><ref name=Vox2018-10-26A>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/26/18027244/cesar-sayoc-arrest-bomb|title=Pipe bomb suspect arrested: what we know| work=Vox|author=Jen Kirby|date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026185225/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/10/26/18027244/cesar-sayoc-arrest-bomb|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|quote=Sayoc has an extensive criminal history, including an arrest for a past bomb threat in 2002, according to the Washington Post and the New York Times.}}</ref> He was also arrested on multiple occasions for charges that included theft, battery, and drug possession, with convictions in 1991, 2013, and 2014.<ref name="what">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cesar-sayoc-package-bomb-suspect-arrested-what-we-know-live-updates-today-2018-10-26/|title=Cesar Sayoc, package bomb suspect, arrested: What we know|date=October 26, 2018|work=CBS News|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028211549/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cesar-sayoc-package-bomb-suspect-arrested-what-we-know-live-updates-today-2018-10-26/|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

State records list Sayoc as connected to two, now-inactive Hallandale Beach businesses: Proud Native American One Low Price Drycleaning in 2001 and, more recently, at Native American Catering & Vending LLC in 2016.<ref name=usatoday/> Sayoc's home was foreclosed in 2009 and he filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012 after accumulating debts of more than $21,000.<ref name=oregonlive>[https://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2018/10/bomb_suspect_described_as_lone.html Bomb suspect described as 'loner' with long arrest record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027030239/https://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2018/10/bomb_suspect_described_as_lone.html |date=October 27, 2018 }} ''Oregon Live'', October 26, 2018</ref>

Sayoc is a bodybuilder and has used anabolic steroids. He has made numerous false claims about himself and his background. He claimed during a 2014 deposition that he played soccer for A.C. Milan and arena football for the Arizona Rattlers, which both teams have denied. He claimed to have been a popular stripper, an owner of a strip club, and partner in Chippendales; the company says he never worked there and "has never been affiliated in any way with Chippendales".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/26/cesar-sayoc-life-stage-where-truth-bit-player/1778580002/|title=For accused pipe bomber Cesar Sayoc, life was a stage where the truth was a bit player|date=October 26, 2018|work=USA Today|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028090439/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/26/cesar-sayoc-life-stage-where-truth-bit-player/1778580002/|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

At the time of his 2012 bankruptcy, Sayoc said he was employed as a store manager of Hassanco Investments in Hollywood, Florida.<ref name=usatoday/> From January 2017 to January 2018, he worked part time making deliveries for a pizzeria in Fort Lauderdale.<ref>[https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article220734310.html "Bomb suspect was a 'foot soldier' for white supremacy, kept headless dolls in van"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033928/https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime/article220734310.html |date=October 28, 2018 }} ''Bradenton Herald'', October 27, 2018</ref> At the time of his arrest, he was working as a DJ and doorman at a West Palm Beach strip club.<ref>[https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/cesar-sayoc-alleged-pipe-bomb-mailer-worked-as-dj-at-west-palm-strip-club-ultra-thursday Cesar Sayoc: Alleged pipe bomb mailer worked as DJ at West Palm strip club Ultra Thursday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151517/https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/cesar-sayoc-alleged-pipe-bomb-mailer-worked-as-dj-at-west-palm-strip-club-ultra-thursday |date=October 28, 2018 }} WPTV, October 26, 2018</ref>

Sayoc is a registered Republican.<ref name="NYT-20181026">{{cite news |last1=Rashbaum |first1=William K. |last2=Feuer |first2=Alan |last3=Goldman |first3=Adam |title=Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested in Southern Florida |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/nyregion/cnn-cory-booker-pipe-bombs-sent.html |date=October 26, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026132422/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/nyregion/cnn-cory-booker-pipe-bombs-sent.html |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WSJ-20181026">{{cite news |last1=Frosch |first1=Dan |last2=Kano-Youngs |first2=Zolan |title=Letter-Bomb Suspect Is in Custody – Cesar Sayoc, 56, is in custody, officials say; two packages were found Friday addressed to Sen. Cory Booker and James Clapper |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspicious-package-to-sen-cory-booker-intercepted-in-florida-1540558252 |date=October 26, 2018 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026160021/https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspicious-package-to-sen-cory-booker-intercepted-in-florida-1540558252 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="CNN-20181026">{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Evan |last2=Morales |first2=Mark |last3=Prokupecz |first3=Shimon |last4=Gingras |first4=Brynn |title=Arrest made in connection to suspicious packages |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cory-booker-package/index.html |date=October 26, 2018 |work=CNN News |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026134844/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cory-booker-package/index.html |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He registered with the Republican Party on March 4, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cesar-sayoc-party-registration/|title=FACT CHECK: Was Mail Bombing Suspect Cesar Sayoc a Registered Democrat?|quote=According to Florida's voter registration rolls, Sayoc registered as a Republican on 4 March 2016.|website=Snopes.com|date=October 29, 2018 }}</ref> Sayoc filmed himself wearing a MAGA hat at one of the president's rallies.<ref name="metro">{{cite news|last=McCloskey|first=Jimmy|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/26/suspected-maga-bomber-cesar-sayoc-filmed-himself-in-maga-hat-at-trump-rally-8079231/|title=Suspected MAGA bomber Cesar Sayoc filmed himself in MAGA hat at Trump rally|newspaper=Metro|location=London|date=October 26, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026184405/https://metro.co.uk/2018/10/26/suspected-maga-bomber-cesar-sayoc-filmed-himself-in-maga-hat-at-trump-rally-8079231/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Sayoc was active on Twitter and Facebook, where since 2016 he was known for his extreme views and frequently posted pro-Trump and anti-liberal messages and memes, as well as right-wing conspiracy theories and stories from ''InfoWars'', ''WorldNetDaily'', and ''Breitbart News''.<ref name=miaminewtimes2018-10-26>{{cite news|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/cesar-sayocs-social-media-posts-show-florida-bomber-cesar-sayoc-held-extremist-views-10859874| title=Social Media Posts Show Florida Bomber Cesar Sayoc Held Extremist Views|work=Miami New Times|author1=Meg O'Connor|author2=Jessica Lipscomb|date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026185236/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/cesar-sayocs-social-media-posts-show-florida-bomber-cesar-sayoc-held-extremist-views-10859874|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Kevin Roose, [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/technology/cesar-sayoc-facebook-twitter.html Cesar Sayoc's Path on Social Media: From Food Photos to Partisan Fury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320235824/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/technology/cesar-sayoc-facebook-twitter.html |date=March 20, 2019 }}, ''New York Times'' (October 27, 2019).</ref>

===Reports of previous threats=== Ilya Somin, a libertarian-leaning law professor at George Mason University and a scholar at the Cato Institute, reported that he was the subject of death threats from Sayoc made on Facebook in April 2018. According to Somin, after he appeared on a Fox News interview criticizing those who hold anti-immigration views, Sayoc (using an alias) posted on his Facebook and threatened to kill Somin and his family and "feed the bodies to Florida alligators". At the time, Somin's Facebook friends reported the comments to Facebook, which did not respond except for automated messages. Somin also reported the incident to George Mason University police and Arlington, Virginia law enforcement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Somin |first1=Ilya |title=Mail Bomber Cesar Sayoc Threatened Me on Facebook |url=http://reason.com/volokh/2018/10/27/mail-bomber-cesar-sayoc-threatened-me-on |access-date=October 27, 2018 |work=Reason.com |publisher=Reason Foundation |date=October 27, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033915/http://reason.com/volokh/2018/10/27/mail-bomber-cesar-sayoc-threatened-me-on |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Democratic strategist Rochelle Ritchie had also received a threatening tweet from Sayoc on October{{nbs}}11 that said: "Hug your loved ones real close every time you leave you home". While Twitter (now X) initially failed to act on this, Sayoc's accounts were permanently suspended after his arrest and Twitter representatives have since apologized to Ritchie.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cesar-sayoc-arrested-twitter-threats-apology-pipe-bomb-mail-rochelle-ritchie-a8604246.html Twitter 'deeply sorry' for failing to act on threatening tweets sent by bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027163100/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cesar-sayoc-arrested-twitter-threats-apology-pipe-bomb-mail-rochelle-ritchie-a8604246.html |date=October 27, 2018 }} ''The Independent'', October 27, 2018</ref>

=== Van seizure === Sayoc's van was seized by law enforcement when he was apprehended. It was covered with images of Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, along with a sticker that read "CNN Sucks".<ref name="WPost-20181026">{{cite news|last=Bump|first=Philip|date=October 26, 2018|title=The mail-bomb suspect's van, annotated|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/26/mail-bomb-suspects-van-annotated/|url-status=live|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026232458/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/26/mail-bomb-suspects-van-annotated/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="what" /><ref name="TheCut2018-10-26">{{cite news|author=Lisa Ryan|date=October 26, 2018|title=What to Know About the Man Arrested in Connection With the Mail Bombs|work=The Cut|url=https://www.thecut.com/2018/10/bomb-suspect-arrest-cesar-sayoc-florida.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026185319/https://www.thecut.com/2018/10/bomb-suspect-arrest-cesar-sayoc-florida.html|archive-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="usnews2018-10-26">{{cite news|date=October 26, 2018|title=The Latest: Man in Custody in Bomb Case Is Cesar Sayoc, 56|work=U.S. News & World Report|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2018-10-26/the-latest-man-in-custody-in-bomb-case-is-cesar-sayoc-56|url-status=live|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061651/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2018-10-26/the-latest-man-in-custody-in-bomb-case-is-cesar-sayoc-56|archive-date=October 27, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Heavy2018-10-26">{{cite news|author=Jessica McBride|date=October 26, 2018|title=Cesar Sayoc Called Trump 'Greatest Commander Chief'|work=Heavy.com|url=https://heavy.com/news/2018/10/cesar-sayoc-social-media-twitter-facebook/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026185326/https://heavy.com/news/2018/10/cesar-sayoc-social-media-twitter-facebook/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|quote=In addition, Sayoc, 56, of Florida, drove a van that was covered with pro-Trump and Republican decals and stickers.}}</ref> Some posters also supported the "unconquered Seminoles", a Native American tribe that was historically based in Florida; two federally recognized tribes are there, and another in Oklahoma. Sayoc has been described as proudly claiming Native American heritage,<ref name="what" /> but the Seminole Tribe of Florida said there was no record of his being a member or employee of the tribe.<ref name="Seminole Tribe Statement">{{Cite web|last=Bitner|first=Gary|date=October 26, 2018|title=Statement from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/statement-from-the-seminole-tribe-of-florida-seminole-gaming-and-hard-rock-international-300738784.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027002841/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/statement-from-the-seminole-tribe-of-florida-seminole-gaming-and-hard-rock-international-300738784.html|archive-date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2018|website=Cision PR Newswire|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="WPost-20181026" /><ref name="CNN 2018" /> Other stickers on the van showed Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, documentarian Michael Moore, CNN commentator and host Van Jones, and 2016 Green Party U.S. presidential candidate Jill Stein with gunsight crosshair designs on their faces.<ref name="vanpics">[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cesar-sayoc-white-van-stickers/index.html Suspect's van – plastered with Trump, Pence stickers – a focus of bomb investigation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031092721/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/politics/cesar-sayoc-white-van-stickers/index.html|date=October 31, 2018}} CNN, October 27, 2018</ref> Moore said on ''Late Night with Seth Meyers'' on November 2 that the FBI had visited his home to inform him that Sayoc had conducted extensive research on him, according to his computer records.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/michael-moore-fbi-visit-mail-bombs-midterm-election-voting-1157553 Michael Moore Says FBI Visited Him Over Mail Bomb Suspect's Research on Filmmaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092347/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/michael-moore-fbi-visit-mail-bombs-midterm-election-voting-1157553|date=December 31, 2018}} ''The Hollywood Reporter'', November 2, 2018</ref>

Reports indicate that "soldering equipment, stamps, envelopes, paper, a printer and powder" were found in Sayoc's van, suggesting that he could have built bombs in it.<ref name="auto1" /> Law enforcement officials told reporters that Sayoc had a "hit list" of more than 100 people in his van; they informed persons on the list but have not released the names publicly.<ref name="nyt100">{{cite news|last1=Blinder|first1=Alan|last2=Rashbaum|first2=William K.|date=October 29, 2018|title=Mail Bomb Suspect Had a List of 100 Potential Targets, Officials Say|language=en|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/cnn-suspicious-package-bomb.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030231211/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/cnn-suspicious-package-bomb.html|archive-date=October 30, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Sayoc reportedly told officials the bombs were harmless and that he did not want to hurt anyone.<ref name="arraignment" />

===Charges and legal proceedings === Following his arrest, Sayoc was charged with five federal crimes:<ref name="WP-20181026" /> interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and certain other persons, threatening interstate communications, and assaulting federal officers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/26/florida-man-cesar-sayoc-charged-with-five-federal-crimes-in-bomb-threats-to-obama-clinton-and-others.html|title=Fingerprint leads to federal charges against Florida man Cesar Sayoc for bombs sent Obama, Clinton and other Trump critics|last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=October 26, 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026215200/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/26/florida-man-cesar-sayoc-charged-with-five-federal-crimes-in-bomb-threats-to-obama-clinton-and-others.html|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The charges were filed by federal prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/26/18029380/cesar-sayoc-pipe-bomb-charges-full-text|title=These are the federal charges against the suspected pipe bomb maker|last=Ward|first=Alex|date=October 26, 2018|work=Vox|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026232426/https://www.vox.com/2018/10/26/18029380/cesar-sayoc-pipe-bomb-charges-full-text|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Prosecutors from the SDNY said electronic devices owned by Sayoc had data showing that he began planning the attacks in July 2018.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/mail-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-planned-domestic-terrorist/story?id=58789212 Mail bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc planned 'domestic terrorist attack' since July, prosecutors say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101140004/https://abcnews.go.com/US/mail-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-planned-domestic-terrorist/story?id=58789212 |date=November 1, 2018 }} ABC News, October 31, 2018</ref>

Sayoc was arraigned in Miami on October 29, 2018, and his court-assigned lawyer entered a plea of not guilty.<ref name=arraignment>[https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/29/politics/pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-court/index.html Pipe bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc formally charged at first court appearance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029194314/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/29/politics/pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-court/index.html |date=October 29, 2018 }} CNN, October 29, 2018</ref> Three days later, he was ordered to be transferred to New York for trial.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/11/02/cesar-sayoc-pipe-bomb-suspect-court-bail-removal-hearing/1856199002/ Judge orders transfer of Florida pipe bomb suspect to New York for trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103065948/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/11/02/cesar-sayoc-pipe-bomb-suspect-court-bail-removal-hearing/1856199002/ |date=November 3, 2018 }} ''USA Today'', November 2, 2018</ref> On November 6, 2018, a New York judge ordered Sayoc to be held without bail in the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664796199/judge-orders-pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-held-without-bail Judge Orders Pipe Bomb Suspect Cesar Sayoc Held Without Bail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145410/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664796199/judge-orders-pipe-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-held-without-bail |date=November 7, 2018 }} NPR, November 6, 2018</ref>

On March 21, 2019, Sayoc pleaded guilty to 65 felony counts, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack. In court, Sayoc stated: "I sent all 16 devices with the intent to threaten or intimidate. I know these actions were wrong."<ref name=guiltyplea>{{cite web|title=Mail bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc pleads guilty|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/21/us/cesar-sayoc-guilty-plea/index.html|work=CNN|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019|last1=Orden|first1=Erica|last2=Chavez|first2=Nicole|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321223711/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/21/us/cesar-sayoc-guilty-plea/index.html|archive-date=March 21, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Sayoc said that he did not intend for the bombs to explode, but "was aware of the risk that [they could] explode."<ref name=guiltyplea/>

He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on August 5, 2019.<ref name=sentence/> During sentencing, Judge Jed S. Rakoff stated that the bombs were purposely designed not to explode or cause anyone damage. Bomb experts agreed that Sayoc's packages were not configured to detonate.<ref name="AP news sentencing"/> In sentencing Sayoc, Rakoff said he had concluded that Sayoc was capable of concocting a pipe bomb that could explode and had consciously chosen not to.<ref name="nyt sentencing">{{cite news|first=Benjamin|last=Weiser|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/nyregion/cesar-sayoc-sentencing-pipe-bombing.html|title=Cesar Sayoc, Who Mailed Pipe Bombs to Trump Critics, Is Sentenced to 20 Years|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2 January 2020|date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527073354/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/nyregion/cesar-sayoc-sentencing-pipe-bombing.html |archive-date=27 May 2022}}</ref>

===Motives=== In a filing by the defense on July 22, 2019, Sayoc's attorneys said he had "lost everything in the Great Recession", had "cognitive limitations and severe learning disabilities", and was "abandoned by his father and sexually abused by a teacher at his Catholic school." They said that he suffered from "anxiety and paranoia" and that he "came to believe that prominent Democrats were actively working to hurt him". They also said he was an avid Fox News viewer (especially the shows ''Fox & Friends'' and ''Hannity'') and on social media, he "promoted various conspiracy theories, and more generally, the idea that Trump's critics were dangerous, unpatriotic, and evil."<ref name=motives>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/mail-bomber-cesar-sayoc-obsessed-trump-fox-news/story?id=64500598 Mail bomber Cesar Sayoc obsessed with Trump, Fox News, chilling new court filings show] ABC News, July 23, 2019</ref> At sentencing, Sayoc said before he mailed the bombs his idea "first was how to tone down the liberal left violence platform." He wrote that he believed prominent Democrats were encouraging violence, and said that he had been attacked personally.<ref name="AP news sentencing">{{Cite web |last1=Hays |first1=Tom |last2=Neumeister |first2=Larry |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2019-08-05/cesar-sayoc-pipe-bombs-democrats-cnn-sentence |title=Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man who sent pipe bombs to Trump critics, is sentenced to 20 years |publisher=AP News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604055412/https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-jed-s-rakoff-hillary-clinton-barack-obama-0ec32c260a5f458c83619f1734dbee8c |archive-date=4 June 2022| date=5 August 2019}}</ref>

=== Incarceration === On October 22, 2019, Sayoc began serving his 20-year sentence at United States Penitentiary, Marion. In February 2022, Sayoc was transferred from Marion, Illinois to the FCI Butner Medium II in Butner, North Carolina. He is now located at FCI Coleman Low in Sumterville, Florida. His earliest possible release date is November 10, 2035.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/|title=Inmate Locator|website=www.bop.gov}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}}

== Reactions == === Political === [[File:President Trump Condemns Mailing of Explosive Devices to Democrats.webm|thumb|"President Trump Condemns Mailing of Explosive Devices to Democrats", from a speech made at the White House on October 24 (video from Voice of America)]]

Hillary Clinton thanked the Secret Service for intercepting the package and during a political event in Florida on behalf of Congressional candidate Donna Shalala she stated "Every day we are grateful for their commitment, and obviously never more than today, but it is a troubling time isn't it? And it's a time of deep divisions, and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together."<ref name="react">{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/clinton-reacts-suspicious-packages-home-obamas/story?id=58717386|title=John Brennan, Hillary Clinton react to suspicious packages addressed to them and others|date=October 25, 2018|publisher=ABC News|language=en|access-date=October 25, 2018|author1=Cheyenne Haslett|author2=Erica Y King|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024232044/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/clinton-reacts-suspicious-packages-home-obamas/story?id=58717386|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> John Brennan pointed directly to Trump's rhetoric, saying that Trump "fuels these feelings and sentiments that now are bleeding over into potential acts of violence ... Unfortunately, I think Donald Trump, too often, has helped to incite some of these feelings of anger, if not violence, when he points to acts of violence or also talks about, you know, swinging at somebody from the press or the media."<ref name = react />

Several sources pointed out that some of the targets of the mailings, such as Clinton and Waters, are people that Trump routinely attacks at his campaign rallies – his "favorite punching bags."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mail-attacks-trump-rhetoric_us_5bd09d8ce4b0d38b587f12e2|title=All The Targets In This Week's Mail Attacks Have Been Trump's Worst Enemies|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=October 24, 2018|work=Huffington Post|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026091039/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mail-attacks-trump-rhetoric_us_5bd09d8ce4b0d38b587f12e2|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/politics/donald-trump-insulted-targets-pipe-bombs/|title=All the Times Donald Trump Has Insulted the Targets of Attempted Pipe Bomb Attacks|last=Pasquini|first=Maria|date=October 25, 2018|work=People|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026011809/https://people.com/politics/donald-trump-insulted-targets-pipe-bombs/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> New York Mayor Bill de Blasio described the packages as "an act of terror" and stated that all politicians must stop encouraging attacks on media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/24/clinton-bomb-reports-delivery-home-new-york-hillary-bill-latest|title=Suspected bombs sent to prominent Trump critics 'an act of terror'|last=Swaine|first=Jon|date=October 24, 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024170832/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/24/clinton-bomb-reports-delivery-home-new-york-hillary-bill-latest|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> Biden said of the attempts, "we've got to turn off this hate machine."<ref>[https://globalnews.ca/video/4597365/joe-biden-says-weve-got-to-turn-off-this-hate-machine-in-reaction-to-pipe-bombs Joe Biden says 'we've got to turn off this hate machine' in reaction to pipe bombs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064939/https://globalnews.ca/video/4597365/joe-biden-says-weve-got-to-turn-off-this-hate-machine-in-reaction-to-pipe-bombs |date=October 26, 2018 }} Global News, October 25, 2018</ref> Wasserman Schultz responded saying, "We will not be intimidated by this attempted act of violence. This appalling attack on our democracy must be vigorously prosecuted, and I am deeply disturbed by the way my name was used."<ref>[http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/wasserman-schultz-target-would-be-bomber-we-will-not-be-intimidated Wasserman Schultz a Target for Would-Be Bomber: 'We Will Not Be Intimidated'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025075928/http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/wasserman-schultz-target-would-be-bomber-we-will-not-be-intimidated |date=October 25, 2018 }} ''Sunshine State News'', October 25, 2018</ref> Waters said, "I don't know whether the bombs are real or not, but we should not crawl under the bed, close the doors, not go out, be afraid to go to rallies. We have to keep to doing what we're doing in order to make this country right; that's what I intend to do, and as the young people say, I ain't scared."<ref>[https://blavity.com/exclusive-rep-maxine-waters-responds-to-bomb-threats-that-targeted-her-i-aint-scared EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Maxine Waters Responds To Being Targeted By Bomb Threats: 'I Ain't Scared.'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025233225/https://blavity.com/exclusive-rep-maxine-waters-responds-to-bomb-threats-that-targeted-her-i-aint-scared |date=October 25, 2018 }} ''Blavity'', October 26, 2018</ref>

==== President Trump's responses ==== Trump held a midterm campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on October 24, during the height of the mailings. He said of the bombings: {{Blockquote|My highest duty, as you know, as President, is to keep America safe. That's what we talk about. That's what we do. The federal government is conducting an aggressive investigation and we will find those responsible and we will bring them to justice. Hopefully very quickly. Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy, itself. No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, coercion, or control. We all know that. Such conduct must be fiercely opposed and firmly prosecuted. We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony. We can do it. We can do it. We can do it. It will happen.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-rally-wisconsin-october-2018/index.html Follow President Trump's rally in Wisconsin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025003759/https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-rally-wisconsin-october-2018/index.html |date=October 25, 2018 }} CNN, October 24, 2018</ref>}}

The next day, Trump claimed on Twitter that the mainstream media were largely responsible for anger present in American society.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stracqualursi |first1=Veronica |last2=Stark |first2=Liz |title=Trump claims media to blame for 'anger' after bombs sent to CNN, Dems |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/trump-blames-media-for-anger-after-attacks/index.html |access-date=October 25, 2018 |work=CNN |date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025134525/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/trump-blames-media-for-anger-after-attacks/index.html |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> His comments were echoed by former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who said that Trump had urged the public to come together and had sent a very clear, strong unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence had no standing in the United States. Sanders then attacked statements by CNN President Jeff Zucker, claiming that he "chose to attack and divide."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/sarah-sanders-scolds-cnn-president-jeff-zucker-you-chose-attack-and-divide-1186827|title=Sarah Huckabee Sanders hits back at CNN boss saying 'You chose to attack and divide'|last=Cole|first=Brendan|date=October 25, 2018|work=Newsweek|access-date=October 25, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025153628/https://www.newsweek.com/sarah-sanders-scolds-cnn-president-jeff-zucker-you-chose-attack-and-divide-1186827|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Trump also tweeted against the media, on October 24, stating, "Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blame me for the current state of Bombs {{sic}} and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, 'it's just not Presidential! {{sic|nolink=y}}{{' "}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/donald-trump-tweet-cnn-bomb-attack-ridiculous-911-comparison-james-clapper-cory-booker-1202490082/|title=Donald Trump Tweets 'Bombs' Intended to Slow GOP Midterm Momentum, Blasts "Ridiculous" 9/11 Comparisons|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|date=October 26, 2018|work=Deadline|access-date=October 26, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026183857/https://deadline.com/2018/10/donald-trump-tweet-cnn-bomb-attack-ridiculous-911-comparison-james-clapper-cory-booker-1202490082/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Appearing before a group of young black conservatives an hour after the arrest, Trump praised the swift action by law enforcement and promised "swift and certain justice." He added, "We must never allow political violence to take root in America. We cannot let it happen. I am committed to do everything in my power as president to stop it and stop it now." A few minutes later he attacked Democrats and the media, to cheers from the crowd.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-hails-quick-arrest-pipe-bomb-suspect-vows-swift-certain-n924871|title=Trump hails quick arrest of pipe bomb suspect, vows 'swift and certain justice'|last=Edelman|first=Adam|date=October 26, 2018|work=NBC News|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026214921/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-hails-quick-arrest-pipe-bomb-suspect-vows-swift-certain-n924871|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Later in the day he told reporters that he was in no way to blame for the attacks and had no plans to do anything differently. Asked if he might tone down his rhetoric in response to the mail bombs, he replied, "Tone down, no. Could tone up. I think I've been toned down, if you want to know the truth."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/26/trump-says-hell-pass-on-calling-clinton-obama-after-sayoc-arrest.html|title=Trump: I'll 'pass' on calling Clinton, Obama after pipe bomb arrest|last=Wilkie|first=Christina|date=October 26, 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027003621/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/26/trump-says-hell-pass-on-calling-clinton-obama-after-sayoc-arrest.html|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On October 26, Trump claimed that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting Democratic politicians and critics of his policies had drowned out other news stories and slowed Republican voting in the mid-term election. He tweeted, "Republicans were doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows – news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-packages-election/trump-says-bomb-stuff-slowing-republican-momentum-at-polls-idUSKCN1N0203|title=Trump says 'Bomb' stuff' slowing Republican momentum at polls|date=October 26, 2018|work=Reuters|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028212028/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-packages-election/trump-says-bomb-stuff-slowing-republican-momentum-at-polls-idUSKCN1N0203|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Media === CNN President Jeff Zucker said about the mailings, "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. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cnn-president-jeff-zucker-blasts-trump-white-house-cnn-bomb-scare-1154778|title=CNN President Jeff Zucker Blasts Trump White House After Bomb Threat: "Words Matter"|last=Barr|first=Jeremy|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 25, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024231818/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cnn-president-jeff-zucker-blasts-trump-white-house-cnn-bomb-scare-1154778|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Zucker later stated that all mail sent to any CNN building will now be screened offsite.<ref name=atlanta/> CNN also reported that the bombings were one of three hate-motivated incidents that took place in the United States the same week, along with shootings in a synagogue in Pittsburgh and a Kroger grocery store in Jeffersontown, Kentucky.<ref>Sanchez, Ray, and Gray, Melissa. [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/72-hours-of-hate-in-america/index.html "72 hours in America: Three hate-filled crimes. Three hate-filled suspects."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170354/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/72-hours-of-hate-in-america/index.html |date=October 30, 2018 }}, ''CNN'', 29 October 2018. Retrieved on 30 October 2018.</ref>

Following the news of the events, the hashtag "#MAGABomber" began trending on Twitter, referring to Trump's 2016 campaign slogan, "MAGA" (Make America Great Again).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/24/magabomber-leads-national-popularity-trends-on-twi/|title=#MAGABomber trends on Twitter following bomb-scare incidents targeting Democrats, CNN|last=Harper|first=Jennifer|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Washington Times|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026091339/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/24/magabomber-leads-national-popularity-trends-on-twi/|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/magabomber-twitter/|title=#MAGAbomber trending on Twitter after domestic bombing scare|last=Gilmour|first=David|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Daily Dot|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025033016/https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/magabomber-twitter/|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Conspiracy theories === The incident has been the subject of conspiracy theories saying the events are part of a false flag operation, that the attacks were staged by those who hoped to cast the blame on Trump supporters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roose |first1=Kevin |title='False Flag' Theory on Pipe Bombs Zooms From Right-Wing Fringe to Mainstream |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/business/false-flag-theory-bombs-conservative-media.html |access-date=October 26, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=October 25, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025225232/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/25/business/false-flag-theory-bombs-conservative-media.html |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> When the incidents were first reported, conservatives such as columnist Kurt Schlichter and conspiracy theorist and radio host Alex Jones issued social media posts and articles through ''InfoWars'' to assert their belief that the incidents were false flags, a "super convenient turn of events", and a potential "political stunt". Many of the comments were deleted as more information was received about the case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/10/right-wing-commentators-have-already-decided-the-explosive-packages-are-a-false-flag/|title=Right-wing commentators have already decided the explosive packages are a false flag|last=Spinelli|first=Dan|date=October 24, 2018|work=Mother Jones|access-date=October 25, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025000649/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/10/right-wing-commentators-have-already-decided-the-explosive-packages-are-a-false-flag/|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

After having been started by overtly conspiracist outlets, the false flag narrative was later picked up by some mainstream conservatives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Jason |title=High-profile conservatives claim mail bombs are an attack by the left |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/26/pipe-bombs-false-flag-claims-ann-coulter-rush-limbaugh-conspiracy-theories |access-date=October 26, 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=October 26, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026173827/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/26/pipe-bombs-false-flag-claims-ann-coulter-rush-limbaugh-conspiracy-theories |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Coaston |first1=Jane |title=Why some on the far right believe Democrats sent themselves bombs in the mail |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/25/18018606/false-flags-clinton-soros-alex-jones-infowars-cnn |website=Vox |date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025205237/https://www.vox.com/2018/10/25/18018606/false-flags-clinton-soros-alex-jones-infowars-cnn |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Commentator Rush Limbaugh said that Republicans could not be responsible for the packages, that "Republicans just don't do this kind of thing. Even though every event, like mass shootings, remember, every mass shooting there is, the Democrats in the media try to make everybody think right off the bat that some tea partier did it, or some talk radio fan did it, or some Fox News viewer did it. Turns out, it's never, ever the case." Limbaugh instead raised unsubstantiated claims that the perpetrator might have been a "Democrat operative ... attempting to create the appearance that there are mobs everywhere."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/412969-limbaugh-on-bomb-threats-to-democrats-republicans-just-dont-do-this-kind-of|title=Limbaugh on bomb threats to Democrats: 'Republicans just don't do this kind of thing'|last=Wise|first=Justin|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Hill|access-date=October 25, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024200917/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/412969-limbaugh-on-bomb-threats-to-democrats-republicans-just-dont-do-this-kind-of|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohlheiser |first1=Abby |last2=Selk |first2=Avi |title=The instant, inevitable cries of 'false flag' after bomb threats targeting the Clintons, Obamas and CNN |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/24/instant-inevitable-cries-false-flag-after-bomb-threats-targeting-clintons-obamas-cnn/ |access-date=October 26, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 25, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025161616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/24/instant-inevitable-cries-false-flag-after-bomb-threats-targeting-clintons-obamas-cnn/ |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=Debunking the despicable 'false flag' theory on the mail bombs |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/false-flag-theory-mail-bombs-cnn-democrats/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=October 26, 2018 |date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026022340/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/25/politics/false-flag-theory-mail-bombs-cnn-democrats/index.html |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other right-wing commentators who tried to spread the "false flag" conspiracy theories included Ann Coulter, Dinesh D'Souza, Michael Savage, James Woods, Frank Gaffney, Candace Owens, and Laura Loomer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/jim-swift/bomb-scare-shows-that-alex-joness-legacy-is-more-conspiracy-theorists|title=The Children of Alex Jones|date=October 25, 2018|publisher=The Weekly Standard|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026130944/https://www.weeklystandard.com/jim-swift/bomb-scare-shows-that-alex-joness-legacy-is-more-conspiracy-theorists|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/andrew-egger/the-arrest-of-bomber-cesar-sayoc-and-the-false-flag-conservatives|title=Flight of the #FalseFlag Conservatives|date=October 26, 2018|publisher=The Weekly Standard|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027030119/https://www.weeklystandard.com/andrew-egger/the-arrest-of-bomber-cesar-sayoc-and-the-false-flag-conservatives|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|United States}} * Austin serial bombings * Congressional baseball shooting * December 2018 Time Warner Center bomb threats * ''CNN v. Trump'', a November 2018 lawsuit involving CNN and President Trump * 2018 Tallahassee shooting * 1919 United States anarchist bombings * List of terrorist incidents in October 2018 * List of members of the United States Congress killed or wounded in office * Right-wing terrorism * 2021 United States Capitol attack * Solomon Peña, 2022 Republican candidate for the 14th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives, was arrested in January 2023 for allegedly orchestrating at least four drive-by shootings against various Democratic politicians.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/5022026/Attachment-1-1.pdf United States of America v. Cesar Altieri Sayoc] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxuUvF2mV_0 Watch Bomb Suspect's Van, Covered In Pro-Trump Stickers, Towed Away | NBC News via YouTube] * [https://www.scribd.com/document/391692784/full-tweet-archive-of-the-MAGA-Bomber Archived Twitter account of the suspected perpetrator] via Scribd

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States mail bombing attempts, 2018}} Category:2018 in American politics Category:2018 in New York City Category:Articles containing video clips Category:False flag conspiracy theories Category:Failed terrorist attempts in the United States Category:First presidency of Donald Trump Category:Letter and package bombings Category:October 2018 crimes in the United States Category:Political violence in the United States Category:Terrorist incidents in the United States in 2018 Category:Right-wing terrorist incidents in the 2010s Category:Trumpism Category:Cory Booker Category:Robert De Niro Category:Kamala Harris Category:George Soros Category:Maxine Waters