Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe looming battle over Latino voters Arizona: On the fast track to swing state status Why Biden could actually win Texas MORE said Wednesday that a series of suspicious packages sent to prominent Democratic officials were "sadly unsurprising" given the country's "rabid" political rhetoric.
"Disgusting, vile threats and actions against fellow Americans and our institutions are sadly unsurprising: hate acts follow hate speech," Romney tweeted.
"It is past time for us to turn down and tune out the rabid rhetoric," the 2012 GOP presidential candidate added.
Disgusting, vile threats and actions against fellow Americans and our institutions are sadly unsurprising: hate acts follow hate speech. It is past time for us to turn down and tune out the rabid rhetoric.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 24, 2018
The Secret Service intercepted packages earlier Wednesday addressed to former President Barack Obama
Barack Hussein ObamaBerlin's Madame Tussauds places wax Trump in a dumpster ahead of election New poll shows Biden leading Trump by 6 points in North Carolina Who is 'Anonymous' author Miles Taylor? MORE and Bill and Hillary Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonTrump may continue to campaign after Election Day if results are not finalized: report Hillicon Valley: Biden campaign slams Facebook after thousands of ads blocked | Majority of voters in three swing states saw ads on social media questioning election validity: poll | Harris more often the target of online misinformation Analysis: Where the swing states stand in Trump-Biden battle MORE. A similar package arrived Wednesday morning at CNN's New York City offices addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan
John Owen Brennan50 former intelligence officials warn NY Post story sounds like Russian disinformation Not treason, not a crime — but definitely a gross abuse of power Trump fires off dozens of tweets while recuperating at White House MORE.
Authorities have also intercepted packages addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters
Maxine Moore WatersTlaib, Ocasio-Cortez offer bill to create national public banking system Companies start responding to pressure to bolster minority representation Democratic senators unveil bill to ban discrimination in financial services industry MORE (D-Calif.) and former Attorney General Eric Holder
Eric Himpton HolderOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Interior official called Black Lives Matter 'racist,' defended alleged Kenosha shooter | Trump signs bipartisan bill funding conservation grants Interior official called Black Lives Matter 'racist,' defended Kenosha shooter Alarm grows over Trump team's efforts to monitor polls MORE. The packages reportedly had Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Deborah (Debbie) Wasserman SchultzFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum Five things to watch at the Democratic National Convention Michelle Obama wishes Barack a happy birthday: 'My favorite guy' MORE's (D) contact information listed for the return address. Wasserman Schultz said she is "deeply disturbed" that her name was attached.
A similar device was discovered Monday at the home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros late Monday. Soros is an ardent supporter of liberal causes and Democratic politicians, and has been the subject of conspiracy theories pushed by far-right figures and some conservative politicians.
During his administration, President Trump
Donald John TrumpStephen Miller: Trump to further crackdown on illegal immigration if he wins US records 97,000 new COVID-19 cases, shattering daily record Biden leads Trump by 8 points nationally: poll MORE has explicitly criticized each of the individuals who were targeted by the suspicious packages. In remarks at the White House, the president called for unity and pledged a full investigation, but did not mention any of the people targeted by name.
"I just want to tell you that in these times, we have to unify," Trump said. "We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the Untied States of America."
Numerous Republicans and Democrats condemned the acts and called for an easing of political hostilities.
Some lawmakers and Democratic leaders have pointed to Trump's attacks of Democrats at campaign rallies and elsewhere. He has labeled the Democratic Party an "angry mob," and attacked news outlets as the "enemy of the people."
Republicans have, in recent months, seized on protests from liberal activists, some of whom have confronted lawmakers in public, as a sign of deteriorating discourse.
Romney has periodically criticized Trump's rhetoric as he campaigns to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch
Orrin Grant HatchMellman: What happened after Ginsburg? Bottom line Bottom line MORE (R-Utah). The former Massachusetts governor was once an ardent critic of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, calling him a "phony."
He has since said that he agrees with many of the president's policies, and will speak out on issues of "substantial significance."
