Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE said Wednesday that a series of suspicious packages sent to prominent Democratic officials were "sadly unsurprising" given the country's "rabid" political rhetoric.

"Disgusting, vile threats and actions against fellow Americans and our institutions are sadly unsurprising: hate acts follow hate speech," Romney tweeted.

"It is past time for us to turn down and tune out the rabid rhetoric," the 2012 GOP presidential candidate added.

Disgusting, vile threats and actions against fellow Americans and our institutions are sadly unsurprising: hate acts follow hate speech. It is past time for us to turn down and tune out the rabid rhetoric. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 24, 2018

The Secret Service intercepted packages earlier Wednesday addressed to former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Senate GOP set to vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick before election In a season of bad ideas, one stands out MORE and Bill and Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonThe Memo: Trump furor stokes fears of unrest Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close MORE. A similar package arrived Wednesday morning at CNN's New York City offices addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan John Owen BrennanJournalism or partisanship? The media's mistakes of 2016 continue in 2020 Comey on Clinton tweet: 'I regret only being involved in the 2016 election' Ex-CIA Director Brennan questioned for 8 hours in Durham review of Russia probe MORE.

Authorities have also intercepted packages addressed to Rep. Maxine Waters Maxine Moore WatersPowell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Omar invokes father's death from coronavirus in reaction to Woodward book MORE (D-Calif.) and former Attorney General Eric Holder Eric Himpton HolderThe Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements Obama endorses Warnock in crowded Georgia Senate race The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump's rally risk | Biden ramps up legal team | Biden hits Trump over climate policy MORE. The packages reportedly had Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Deborah (Debbie) Wasserman SchultzFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum Five things to watch at the Democratic National Convention Michelle Obama wishes Barack a happy birthday: 'My favorite guy' MORE's (D) contact information listed for the return address. Wasserman Schultz said she is "deeply disturbed" that her name was attached.

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A similar device was discovered Monday at the home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros late Monday. Soros is an ardent supporter of liberal causes and Democratic politicians, and has been the subject of conspiracy theories pushed by far-right figures and some conservative politicians.

During his administration, President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE has explicitly criticized each of the individuals who were targeted by the suspicious packages. In remarks at the White House, the president called for unity and pledged a full investigation, but did not mention any of the people targeted by name.

"I just want to tell you that in these times, we have to unify," Trump said. "We have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the Untied States of America."

Numerous Republicans and Democrats condemned the acts and called for an easing of political hostilities.

Some lawmakers and Democratic leaders have pointed to Trump's attacks of Democrats at campaign rallies and elsewhere. He has labeled the Democratic Party an "angry mob," and attacked news outlets as the "enemy of the people."

Republicans have, in recent months, seized on protests from liberal activists, some of whom have confronted lawmakers in public, as a sign of deteriorating discourse.

Romney has periodically criticized Trump's rhetoric as he campaigns to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah). The former Massachusetts governor was once an ardent critic of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, calling him a "phony."

He has since said that he agrees with many of the president's policies, and will speak out on issues of "substantial significance."