Trump accuses media of using bomb case against him

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President Donald Trump accused US media on Friday of using reporting on the suspect in at least 14 bombs sent to some of his prominent critics to score political points against him.

Hours after a Trump supporter, Cesar Sayoc, was arrested in Florida in the bomb case, Trump told a political rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, that political violence must never be tolerated.

"I will do all I can to stop it," he said.

"We have seen an effort by the media in recent hours to use the sinister actions of one individual to score political points against me and the Republican Party," Trump added.

Trump made similar comments on Thursday, blaming news outlets for stirring up anger and hateful political rhetoric as two more suspicious packages were discovered. In a post on Twitter he referred to "purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media."

Trump was in Charlotte campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the hotly contested November 6 US congressional elections, with Republicans trying to hang on to control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Friday that Sayoc is in the custody of the FBI and has been charged with five federal crimes.

"He has been charged today with five federal crimes, including interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and certain other persons," Sessions told a press conference announcing the charges.

US President Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a campaign rally at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, October 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

Sayoc faces up to 48 years in prison if found guilty and charges against him "may change or expand as the investigation proceeds," Sessions said.

"We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially political violence," he said.

Sessions has previously said inaccurate information about the alleged bomber's prison time of 58 years at a news conference.

"The correct number is up to 48 years," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores later said.

Sayoc, a 56-year-old Florida resident, is accused of sending more than a dozen pipe bombs through the mail to prominent Democratic figures, including former President Barack Obama and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as liberal news channel CNN.

He was arrested at an Auto Zone shop in Plantation, Florida on Friday.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sayoc has been arrested at least ten times over the years, including once in 2002 for making a bomb threat and in 2015 for a probation violation.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency