*By Carlo Versano*
An attempted mail bombing of several prominent Democrats and CNN's New York office used techniques that have grown more common among terrorists in recent years, said Jarrod Bernstein, a former counter-terrorism official in the Obama administration.
Bernstein spoke to Cheddar Wednesday afternoon as the [flurry of apparently politically-motivated threats](https://cheddar.com/videos/possible-explosives-sent-to-hillary-clinton-and-barack-obama) tapped into a sense among many Americans that ー less than two weeks before a pivotal election ー the country's political discourse is on a knife's edge.
The devices that were intended for George Soros, former president Barack Obama, former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, former A.G. Eric Holder, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), and CNN's New York office appeared similar and part of a "high concept, low technology" trend that worries counter-terrorism officials, Bernstein said.
That trend includes homemade bombs, commandeered vehicles, and anything else that can be used to inflict mayhem, no matter how crudely.
While not particularly high-tech, the devices seemed to be capable of detonating, Bernstein said. "It doesn't need to be a very sophisticated device to do a lot of damage."
The number of devices and the addressees, all high-profile Democrats who are frequent targets of right-wing ire ー including insults from President Trump ー suggested a motivated individual or group trying to influence our political discourse, according to Bernstein.
"I don't think we've ever seen a scare as widespread as this ー this close to an election," he said.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/bombs-and-suspicious-packages-sent-to-cnn-obama-clinton-and-other-high-profile-dems).
Capitol hill is trying to get to the bottom of the bank collapses that shocked the financial system last month, and today lawmakers grilled banking regulators about why they weren't able to stop the crisis. Cheddar News correspondent Lisa Bennatan broke down the proceedings.
Juul will finally have its day in court for its role in the teen vaping epidemic. The Minnesota attorney general is preparing for opening arguments in the state's lawsuit against the vape maker. Here to break down the complicated backstory for this legal case is Senior Reporter Chloe Aiello.
The Supreme Court will decide whether a disabled activist can file disability rights lawsuits against hotels she doesn't intend to visit.
Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced Monday that she will seek a third term in 2024.
The Biden administration has issued a statement saying it will veto a GOP-led bill aimed at bringing down energy costs by making it easier for energy companies to get permits for domestic drilling.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said lawmakers will move forward with a bill to address national security worries about TikTok.
President Joe Biden’s choice to run the Federal Aviation Administration has withdrawn his nomination, a setback for the administration that comes after Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington appeared to lack enough support in the closely divided Senate.
Facing a potential indictment, Donald Trump took a defiant stance at a rally Saturday in Waco, disparaging the prosecutors investigating him and predicting his vindication as he rallied supporters in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.
While data privacy still remains one of TikTok's biggest challenges, it may face a larger problem in order to stay in the United States: content moderation.
King Charles III's visit to France was postponed because of ongoing protests.
