The attempted attack occurred outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence.
By Catholics for Catholics
Two men were charged in federal court on Monday with attempting to buoy the Islamic State, after a homemade bomb fortified with metal and powerful explosives was launched at anti-Muslim protesters outside the New York City mayor’s residence over the weekend.
The device outside the residence, Gracie Mansion, did not explode and injured no one, but authorities said the attack could have been devastating: Two devices were retrieved, the bomb was tested positive for TATP, a highly unpredictable material used in numerous terrorist attacks over the last decade.
On Sunday, the FBI raided the homes of two men who have since been charged in an ISIS-inspired attack outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s official residence, according to The Daily Wire.
Investigators searched the Pennsylvania homes of 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, after they allegedly tried to light an improvised explosive device (IED) outside of Mamdani’s mayoral mansion during a protest on Saturday. The device did not explode, but officials said it could have been deadly.
“Earlier this evening, federal and local law enforcement conducted investigative activity in Middletown Township and Newtown related to an incident that occurred yesterday near the New York City Mayor’s official residence,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on Sunday. “Authorities have indicated that there is no known threat to the surrounding community, and the situation remains under the control of law enforcement. The activity was not related to immigration enforcement.”
NYC BOMBING ISIS THREAT: "FULL BLOWN TERROR CELL POTENTIALLY"@JackPosobiec: There are now indications emerging that this is not just two lone wolves. Reportedly seven persons of interest – bomb maker still on the loose. FBI raiding homes in Bucks county. pic.twitter.com/9yxLREzJbB
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) March 9, 2026
Still, Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media on Monday: “We have charged the two alleged ISIS-inspired terrorists who attempted to bomb a protest in New York City. We will not allow ISIS’s poisonous, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation. Our law enforcement officers will remain vigilant.”
Balat and Kayumi allegedly made pro-ISIS statements while in custody, Fox News reported. Jessica Tisch, New York City Police Commissioner said on Monday the attempted bombing was an “act of inspired ISIS terrorism.”
Police in Newtown Township, where Kayumi lives, said Sunday that they were working with the FBI on an investigation. His family’s 5,800-square-foot home is worth $2.25 million, the New York Post reported. His parents are allegedly from Afghanistan and were naturalized between 2004 and 2009.
On the other hand, Balat’s home is in Middletown Township, which was also searched on Sunday. That 3,200-square-foot home is worth $653,000, the New York Post reported.
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