Trump critic De Niro urges Americans to vote after bomb plot

Robert De Niro is calling on people to vote in light of the series of bombs addressed to targets of right-wing anger. In a statement released by his publicist on Friday, the actor says "There's something more powerful than bombs, and that's your vote. People must vote!" A suspicious package containing what authorities described as a crude pipe bomb was discovered at De Niro's New York City office on Thursday.

World
AFP
Published Date: 12:00 | 26 October 2018
Modified Date: 05:43 | 26 October 2018

Actor Robert De Niro, one of the intended targets of a bomb plot and an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump, urged Americans on Friday to get out and vote.

"I thank God no one's been hurt, and I thank the brave and resourceful security and law enforcement people for protecting us," De Niro said in a brief statement.

"There's something more powerful than bombs, and that's your vote," the 75-year-old Hollywood star said. "People MUST vote."

The United States is to hold mid-term elections on November 6.

US law enforcement is engaged in a frantic search for the person or persons who sent explosive devices in the mail to De Niro and other people.

Since Monday, crude homemade bombs have been addressed to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, the CNN television network, liberal billionaire donor George Soros and other figures loathed by Trump's supporters.

Packages have been intercepted in New York, Maryland, Florida, Delaware and Los Angeles. So far, no one has been hurt, but the bomb spree has frayed nerves and raised tensions ahead of mid-term elections in less than two weeks.

A suspected explosive device was sent to double Oscar-winner De Niro at his Tribeca Productions company in New York.

De Niro has been a frequent critic of Trump and used an expletive to condemn the president at the televised Tony Awards last June, receiving a standing ovation.

OTHER WORLD NEWS