NYC bomb suspects planned attack worse than the Boston Marathon bombing: officials
Two men were charged Monday on suspicion of using weapons of mass destruction and supporting the Islamic State after throwing a bomb near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Gracie Mansion.
Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested Saturday night after authorities alleged they tried to detonate two explosive devices, according to The New York Times. One of the explosives reportedly tested positive for TATP, which is a highly volatile material that has been used in terrorist attacks over the last 10 years.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said that one of the suspects said they were apparently plotting an attack worse than the Boston Marathon bombing.
"They admitted to authorities that they had traveled to New York City to watch ISIS videos, and that their actions that day were partly inspired by ISIS,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.
Rebecca Weiner, NYPD's deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, said the arrests were consistent with what authorities have seen, as “younger and younger individuals are radicalizing.” The attack was “very much in keeping with the trend we were seeing with ISIS inspired adherence,” she said.
The improvised explosive devices were detonated in isolation by officials, CNN reported. The materials were now under FBI investigation.
GOP lawmaker hammered as he demands Muslims be banned: ‘This is hate speech’
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) faced backlash after suggesting Muslims should be banned from the United States.
"Muslims don't belong in American society," the GOP lawmaker stated in an X post on Monday.
"Pluralism is a lie," he added.
Commenters immediately scorned Ogles for the remarks.
"Andy Ogles, your statement is hateful, disgraceful, and flatly un-American," Seth Taylor wrote. "I'm telling you plainly: you do not get to decide which faiths belong in this country. That is not your job, and it is not your right."
"People like you love to wrap yourselves in the Constitution while trampling its most basic promises. Your rhetoric is bigotry, not leadership. It is division, not patriotism. And it should be condemned without hesitation," he added.
"How does this align with the principle of religious freedom?" Eleanor Hayes asked.
"This is hate speech," Andy Traenkner replied.
"Why would you write something so hateful?" Justin Dangel wondered. "I'm Jew and a supporter of Israel and my friends include many wonderful Muslim Americans. This is not the way. Muslim's belong in America."
