CNN
CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer
- CNN host Wolf Blitzer signed off on Friday with an encouraging message after his network and numerous Democratic officials were threatened with explosive mail packages this week.
- Blitzer's monologue came after the arrest of 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc Jr., who is suspected of being connected to more than a dozen mail bombs that were sent to CNN's offices in New York City and to Democratic operatives
- "CNN isn't just made up of people that you see on camera, like me and our other correspondents," Blitzer said. "It's made up of thousands and thousands of very hardworking, very dedicated, very caring people here in the United States and indeed around the world."
- "Those were the people who were put at risk by these improvised explosive devices," Blitzer added. "People whose names and faces you will never see. People who work at our mail rooms, handle our deliveries, and work so hard to keep all of us safe."
CNN host Wolf Blitzer signed off on Friday with an encouraging message after his network and numerous Democratic officials were threatened by explosive mail packages this week.
"Finally, tonight, if you'll indulge me, I want to say a few words about this week," Blitzer said during CNN's "The Situation Room." "A historic week indeed."
"The people who work here at CNN do their very, very best to report the news fairly, accurately, and responsibly," Blitzer said. "Of course we make mistakes, but when we do, we acknowledge them and we fix them. That's the role of journalists."
Blitzer's monologue comes after the arrest of 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc Jr., who is suspected of being connected to more than a dozen mail bombs that were sent to CNN's offices in New York City and to Democratic operatives, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, the offices of Democratic Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Maxine Waters.
One of the packages, which was addressed to MSNBC contributor and former CIA director John Brennan, was dropped off at CNN's offices by a mail courier mid-morning on Wednesday.
No one was injured from any of the packages as of Friday evening.
"CNN isn't just made up of people that you see on camera, like me and our other correspondents," Blitzer said. "It's made up of thousands and thousands of very hardworking, very dedicated, very caring people here in the United States and indeed around the world."
"People just like you: men and women who have children, men and women who have families, men and women who have lives - just like all of our viewers. People want to go home to those children, people want their lives back after working hard all day, and it can be very, very tense."
"Those were the people who were put at risk by these improvised explosive devices," Blitzer said. "People whose names and faces you will never see. People who work at our mail rooms, handle our deliveries, and work so hard to keep all of us safe."
Blitzer continued: "Many others were put at risk as well: postal workers, clerks, mail carriers, inspectors, police officers, bomb technicians. We are so, so lucky they weren't hurt. I think I speak for all of my colleagues here in the United States and around the world when I say 'thank you' to those folks, those people you never see, for discovering these devices and for keeping us safe."
Broward County
A photo of suspect Cesar Soyac Jr.
The attempted bombings come amid the midterm election season, where political operatives have vigorously campaigned to either retain control or flip a congressional seat.
Sayoc, a Florida resident, is believed to have been a political activist and was seen attending at least one Trump campaign rally in 2017. His suspected social media accounts also appeared to send threatening messages to Trump's critics.
As voters head to the polls, President Donald Trump accused media organizations, particularly CNN, of politicizing its news coverage to try and "score political points."
Blitzer, along with other news anchors from various networks, have continued to dispute Trump's assertion and pledged to continue reporting the news.
"And I could assure you, CNN will keep doing what it does: reporting the news undeterred, unafraid, as we do every night, including tonight," Blitzer said. "Thanks very much for watching."