UPDATE 2 - US: Explosive devices sent to Obamas, Clintons, CNN

ADDS DETAILS THROUGHOUT

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - Multiple "suspicious packages" containing explosive devices were found near the homes and offices of prominent political and media figures, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

The Time Warner Center, the location of CNN's New York bureau, was evacuated after receiving a "suspicious device" intercepted in its mail room.

The package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan, and the Florida office of congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was labeled as the return address. A bomb squad reported to the building to investigate.

"These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country. Grateful for swift response of @SecretService, @FBI & local law enforcement. Those responsible will be brought to justice," Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter.

New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neil noted at a news conference the device found at the Time Warner Center was "live" and authorities also found a white powder with the package.

Late Tuesday, an explosive device addressed to former U.S. President Barack Obama was intercepted at his home in Washington D.C. and early Wednesday a similar package was found by the Secret Service addressed to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at her home in New York.

The Secret Service noted the packages were identified during mail screening procedures.

Both devices were intercepted prior to reaching their intended target, and the Clintons and Obamas were not at risk of receiving the packages.

"The Secret Service has initiated a full scope criminal investigation that will leverage all available federal, state, and local resources to determine the source of the packages and identify those responsible," the agency said in a statement.

Local and federal law enforcement officials are investigating the "suspicious package" received at the Clinton home.

The White House condemned the incidents as "terrorizing acts".

"We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Initial reports by CNN that the White House received a similar "suspicious package" was incorrect, according to the Secret Service.

"The attempt to spread fear is the world we live in," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said at the same briefing. "This is nothing new."

He added that a similar device was sent to his office in New York.

More packages were found at a congressional mail facility in Maryland addressed to congresswoman Maxine Waters, as well as one near the office of Schultz which was originally sent to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, according to reports.

The discovery of the packages comes a day after another package containing an explosive device was found outside the home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros at his home in suburban New York.

The FBI's ongoing investigation believes that one or more individuals sent out multiple similar packages to these different locations.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged all public officials not to encourage violence, while a senior FBI official described the incidents along the same lines as domestic terrorism.

"The utilization of violence in order to further one’s own political agenda is unacceptable," said FBI Special Agent Bryan Paarmann.