During an anti-Islam manifestation outside the home of New York’s Muslim mayor, a counter-protester — who pledged allegiance to the terrorist group Islamic State — threw some kind of explosive device at the gathering. However, the media has made it seem as if it was the anti-Islam demonstrators who threw the device.
Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi stood trial on Monday accused, among other things, of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction. The homemade devices were thrown on Saturday during counterprotests against an anti-Islam demonstration led by Jake Lang, a ‘far-right’ activist and critic of New York’s Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
While Balat pledged allegiance to ISIS, Kayumi claimed he was affiliated with the terrorist group. When police asked Balat whether his ambition was to accomplish something similar to the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 — in which three people were killed and hundreds injured — he replied, “No, even bigger.”
The suspects’ vehicle was found on Sunday a few blocks from where they were apprehended. A search of the car revealed a fuse and a metal canister, along with a list of chemical ingredients and components that could be used to make explosives.
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In a statement outside the mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, on Monday morning, Mayor Mamdani said that Balat and Kayumi “traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to commit violence in New York City.”
Mamdani and his wife were not at home during the protest, and the explosive device failed to detonate as planned.
???? BREAKING: Upon his arrest for throwing a BOMB at anti-Islam protestors in NYC, Emir Balat IMMEDIATELY pledged his allegiance to ISIS, saying:
“All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State. Die in your rage you kuffar!”
“This… pic.twitter.com/eRJoE6PVMU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 9, 2026
Strong Reactions
The case has attracted attention at the highest political level.
– This was an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist act that could have killed American citizens, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
– We will not allow ISIS’s toxic, anti-American ideology to threaten this nation — our police officers will remain vigilant, just as they were when these devices were brought to a protest.
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– The defendants are alleged to support ISIS and tried to follow in the deadly group’s footsteps by attempting to detonate explosive devices in a crowd, said FBI chief Kash Patel.
– The FBI and our partners have zero tolerance for terrorist organizations or those inspired by them to participate in attacks. We are determined to prevent acts of violence and will hold those who attempt to harm our citizens accountable. I want to commend the brave NYPD officers who took action to prevent harm or loss of life on New York’s streets.
Mamdani also commented:
– Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been indicted for committing a heinous act of terrorism and for declaring their allegiance to ISIS.
– They should be held fully accountable for their actions.
– We will continue to protect New Yorkers. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.
Media Distortion
The media is doing its best to make it appear as though it was the anti-Islam demonstrators who were behind the explosive device.
This is how DN initially reported it:
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