DOJ, NYPD Call New York Terror Suspects ISIS-Inspired

The Justice Department brought federal terrorism charges Monday against two men tied to the bombing of a New York City protest. 

One of the suspects threw a homemade bomb that was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group, said Attorney General Pam Bondi. 

“We have charged the two alleged ISIS-inspired terrorists who attempted to bomb a protest in New York City,” Bondi posted on X. 

“We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation. Our law enforcement officers will remain vigilant,” Bondi added.

The incident occurred at a protest Saturday outside Gracie Mansion, the home of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. 

Activist Jake Lang led a protest of about 20 people on Saturday outside the residence, claiming the Muslim mayor was leading an Islamic “takeover” of New York City. About 125 people participated in the counterprotest.

Police said suspect Emir Balat was among the counter protesters as he lit and threw a device, which extinguished before it exploded. Police also identified Ibrahim Kayumi as a suspect and arrested both him and Balat at the scene.

Balat dropped a second device at the protest that police recovered and examined, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

The two suspects, already in police custody, were charged Monday in the Southern District of New York.

The defendants were inspired by ISIS to carry out their attack,” Tisch said during a press conference Monday. “There should be no confusion about what ISIS constitutes.”

New York City Police on Sunday described the device as a jar filled with nuts, bolts and screws and wrapped in black tape with a fuse. It extinguished itself before any explosion.

Tisch previously said she did not believe Mamdani and his wife were home at the time.

Mamdani previously condemned the protest but also said, “Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

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