President Donald Trump has called on the media "to stop the endless hostility", after suspected explosives were posted to high-profile US figures.
He was speaking after parcels were sent to CNN and top Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
None of the packages exploded. The FBI has launched a hunt for their sender.
The president's critics called his comments hypocritical, as he often uses vicious language against his opponents and the press.
In scripted remarks at a Wednesday night rally in Wisconsin, the president vowed to catch the perpetrator, while calling on the media to end "constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories".
Mr Trump also called for more civility in public life, saying: "Those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective.
"No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historic villains, which is done often."
However, the president made no specific reference to the intended recipients of the packages.
Earlier CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker criticised President Trump and the White House press secretary for not understanding that "words matter".
"There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," he said.
Who were the packages sent to?
Suspected bombs were sent to locations in New York, the Washington DC area and Florida, authorities said on Wednesday.
Explosive devices were sent to the following individuals, according to the latest FBI statement:
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former President Barack Obama
Former CIA Director John Brennan, care of CNN
Former Attorney General Eric Holder
California Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Liberal philanthropist and financier George Soros (on Monday)
CNN's New York office was evacuated on Wednesday morning after the package, addressed to Mr Brennan, was found in its mailroom.
Another package, believed to have been addressed to former Vice-President Joe Biden, is being sought by US federal investigators.
BBC
