North Bergen native, John Brennan, target of terrorism

Former CIA Director and native North Bergen resident John Brennan was the target of a package containing a bomb that was intercepted by authorities early Wednesday morning.

The package was delivered to CNN’s New York bureau in the Time Warner Center and contained a “live explosive device,” according to NYPD Commissioner James O’Nieill. The police are also investigating an envelope containing white powder that was found as part of the “original packaging” of the device.

Several other top political figures were targeted in a connected series of incidents such as former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, amongst others.

“This clearly is an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence,” says New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The package was removed from the building late Wednesday morning and was sent to an NYPD facility in the Bronx, a law enforcement official said.

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive are actively investigating this case.

“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”