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“Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among the targets of suspected package bombs delivered to several high-profile Democrats and CNN, which the FBI said it was investigating as an act of terrorism.”
Reuters
President Donald Trump condemned the attacks, stating that “acts or threats of political violence have no place in the United States.” He “called the suspicious packages ‘despicable’ and said a ‘major federal investigation’ was underway.”
AP News
Both sides are skeptical of claims that this was a “false flag” operation undertaken by a Democrat:
The left condemns the attacks and argues that Trump and his allies’ condemnations ring hollow unless they change their divisive and aggressive rhetoric.
“In the wake of bombs sent to several prominent Democrats, conservative politicians and media outlets are emphasizing the need for civility—but failing to name figures who have legitimized political violence, notably President Donald Trump."
New Republic
“Nobody but the perpetrator is responsible for this attack. And there is plenty of regrettable behavior on both sides. But one man has done the most to create this climate, whipping supporters to fear and desperation with often violent rhetoric...
“[Trump] encouraged supporters to ‘knock the crap out of’ protesters and offered to pay attackers’ legal bills. He expressed his wish to punch a heckler in the face. He urged police not to ‘be too nice’ to suspects. He shared a doctored video of himself attacking CNN in a wrestling match. He suggested supporters could use guns to stop Clinton judicial nominees... This has an effect.”
Washington Post
“In the midst of the 2016 campaign, a bit of punditry was born: Take Trump seriously, not literally. Two years later, Trump has done — or tried to do — everything he literally promised on the campaign trail, and on Wednesday morning, there was more chilling evidence that words matter, and that people listening to the president may be taking him very literally."
ThinkProgress
Trump “could have used the moment to own up to his own rhetoric, to apologize for the times he’s taken his attacks on his political rivals too far at rallies or in the heat of the moment on Twitter. Trump could have attempted to actually make the unfolding crisis a moment of unity by seeking redemption. But he didn’t. And the final days before the midterms will be a test of whether the moment has changed him much at all."
Vox
“Trump’s solemn remarks [in response to the attacks] were a jarring contrast with his typical raucous political rallies, where he regularly whips his supporters into a frenzy by mocking his critics and political opponents... Despite Trump’s sober tone Wednesday, few around him expect him to change fundamentally over the longer term."
Politico
The right condemns the attacks and also condemns attempts by the left to blame the right.
The right condemns the attacks and also condemns attempts by the left to blame the right.
“Let’s be clear: No matter who’s doing it — no matter which political party or ideology is [at] the source of it — violence, intimidation and the threat of violence and intimidation have no part to play in polite, civil political society... it’s up to those with strong moral compasses, bold leadership and concern and care for the long-term for our nation to speak out and speak up and put a stop to the madness before it escalates to a point of no return."
Washington Times
“I’m at a loss to understand how the climate is improved by spicing up reports with thinly veiled suggestions that President Trump may have triggered a series of potentially murderous attacks on political opponents. When Bernie Sanders supporter James Hodgkinson opened fire on the Republicans he targeted and nearly killed Representative Steve Scalise, I don’t recall much Times speculation about whether he could have been set... off by Democrats."
National Review
Unfortunately, neither party has a monopoly on political violence. “Ricin packages have targeted — thankfully, unsuccessfully — Sens. Ted Cruz and Susan Collins, CIA Director Gina Haspel, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and even the president. A Republican congressional candidate was the victim of an attempted stabbing.”
Washington Examiner
“The rush to blame the other side of the political aisle for acts of violence condemned by everyone is actually a demonization technique that makes such attacks more likely. Castigating your political opposition as evil enough to bomb public officials gives heart to people who believe that political opposition must be fought with violence... We’re living in an increasingly ugly time. That ugliness will only be exacerbated, not alleviated, by attempts to point fingers without evidence."
Daily Wire
“If we want to make America less vulnerable to violence, we’d do better to look past the political rhetoric and insist on exacting a higher price from those who choose violence. Those who burn universities because they don’t like the speaker, white supremacists who seek out and engage in brawls, or masked protestors breaking shop windows—they all deserve the full sanction of the law. The priority now is to find the person responsible—and then ensure the offender spends a long time in prison."
Wall Street Journal
Belgian robbers are asked to come back - and arrested on their return.
BBC
