Two "potential explosive devices" sent to the homes of former US president Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton were intercepted and proactively detonated Wednesday, in an incident police termed an attempted terrorist attack.
Explosives were also found in package sent to the US news network CNN, after which Time Warner building in New York City, where the CNN bureau is located, was evacuated.
CNN's anchors left their studios to broadcast from the streets outside their building.
The US Secret Service said it had intercepted two "suspicious packages" addressed to Obama and Clinton.
New York Police told reporters that these devises were an intent to strike fear and described it as an attempted terrorist attack.
"The packages were immediately identified during routine mail screening procedures as potential explosive devices and were appropriately handled as such. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them,"
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell described the targeting of Clinton and Obama with potential explosives as acts of "domestic terrorism."
The White House condemned the "attempted violent attacks."