Feds charge 2 Bucks County men for alleged ISIS-inspired bomb plot at NYC Gracie Mansion protest

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Federal prosecutors filed charges Monday against Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, for attempting to detonate bombs at a protest outside of Gracie Mansion in Manhattan.

The two Bucks County men face multiple counts, including the use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, unlawful possession of explosive devices and attempted provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Both Balat, of Langhorne, and Kayumi, of Newtown, told officers the attack was inspired by ISIS, according to the criminal complaint.

“They should be held fully accountable for their actions,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a post on X. “ We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.”

Far-right activists launched an anti-Islam demonstration Saturday called “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City, Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer” outside of Mayor Mamdani’s home. Counterprotesters had also planned their own event for around the same time.

Balat allegedly threw a device toward the protesters, quickly relocated, retrieved another explosive from Kayumi and launched it, as well, according to the criminal complaint. New York City Police officers immediately arrested both men.

An FBI special agent bomb technician arrived at the scene and secured the “mason jar”-sized, homemade devices.

According to the criminal complaint, Balat wrote on a piece of paper that he “pledge[d] [] allegience [sic] to the Islamic State.” Kayumi also indicated he was affiliated with ISIS and watched ISIS propaganda on his phone.

Law enforcement officers asked Balat about his familiarity with the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and asked if he wanted to carry out something similar.

“No, even bigger,” Balat told officers, according to the criminal complaint. “It was only three deaths.”

Ian McGinnis, 21, of Philadelphia, was also arrested during the confrontation between protesters and counterprotesters. He is accused of pepper-spraying counterprotesters. McGinnis pleaded not guilty.