“Violence is never OK”: political leaders respond to bomb threats against Obamas, Clintons

Republican and Democratic leaders spoke out in strong terms on Wednesday against political violence after explosive devices were found in the mailboxes of former President Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

“These attempted attacks that have been made are beyond criminal, they are acts of pure terror,” tweeted Steve Scalise, the House majority whip, who was shot at a congressional baseball practice last year.

“Violence is never OK,” wrote Ted Cruz, the Senate candidate from Texas.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for unity between the two parties on Tuesday, saying “radicals” attack public figures across the political spectrum.

“Regardless of who is responsible, these acts are wrong and must be condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike. Period,” he tweeted.

The White House itself, meanwhile, issued a statement, and Vice President Mike Pence tweeted a statement:

President Trump retweeted him, saying, “I agree wholeheartedly!”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement:

I stand with all Americans in condemning today’s attempted acts of domestic terrorism. As we continue to learn more, Americans are united in gratitude for the first responders — the Secret Service, the Postal Service, and other law enforcement — who protect our leaders and public figures from such unconscionable acts.

Vermont Sen. Ben Sanders wrote in a series of tweets that the violence was “gravely disturbing”:

House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted that “Those behind such reprehensible acts must be brought to justice”:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi thanked first responders in a tweet:

Scalise wrote in a series of tweets:

Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and a White House adviser, tweeted, “There is no excuse”:

Cruz tweeted that “we should always be civil and respect each other’s humanity”:

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted that political violence “has no place in our democracy”: