The news has been coming in fast about the two suspects in the attempted bombing outside Gracie Mansion, the official home of the mayor of New York City, which occurred Saturday during dueling protests over Iran and Operation Epic Fury.
Although the two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) didn’t detonate correctly, they were packed with nuts, bolts, and screws and could have maimed or killed an unknown number of victims.
Now, the Department of Justice is coming down hard on the two teen suspects, Pennsylvanians who were evidently drawn to the sick cult of violence pushed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the news on social media:
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. pic.twitter.com/4QMOrOvGhG
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 9, 2026
They’ve been hit with a slew of charges, including use of a weapon of mass destruction:
BREAKING🚨: Federal charges filed against Gracie Mansion IED suspects Emir Balat (18) and Ibrahim Kayumi (19):
– Count 1: Attempted provision of material support & resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS)
– Count 2: Use of a weapon of mass destruction
-… pic.twitter.com/rOdtvRe77c— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) March 9, 2026
– Count 3: Transportation of explosive materials
– Count 4: Interstate transportation and receipt of explosives
– Count 5: Unlawful possession of destructive devices
MORE: Afghan Bomb Suspect’s Parents Own $2.5M PA Mansion
Watch: Mamdani’s Beyond Belief Presser on Islamist Attack Shows He’s Completely Compromised
One of the two suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat, whose parents are naturalized American citizens of Turkish descent, was open about his desire to cause bloodshed, the federal complaint alleged.
BREAKING: Emir Balat told cops that he wanted Saturday’s attack to be more deadly than the Boston Marathon bombing, federal complaint alleges.
“No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.” pic.twitter.com/5FLOkXJTxo
— Craig McCarthy (@createcraig) March 9, 2026
While this is a terrible story, it could have been much, much worse had the bombs worked as designed. These two are unlikely to see life outside a prison cell for many, many years, and that’s a good thing. Unfortunately, they’re far from the only threat we’re facing:
Disturbing: Intercepted Secret Communications Reveal Iran May Have Awakened Terrorist Sleeper Cells
Although Operation Epic Fury has inflamed tensions with the pro-Iranian regime crowd, this twisted duo was radicalized by ISIS, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there is no indication that they acted due to the conflict:
Speaking outside the mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, on Monday morning, Mamdani said Balat and Kayumi “traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to bring violence to New York City.” Mamdani and his wife weren’t home during the protest.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said there are no indications that the men’s alleged activities were connected to the ongoing war in Iran. The Islamic State is a group of Sunni extremists; Iran’s population is almost entirely Shiite, the other main religious community within Islam.
That being said, they were at a protest with both pro-Iran and anti-regime demonstrators in attendance. That would imply they didn’t care who they killed; they just wanted bloodshed.
If things go right, all they’ll be seeing for the rest of their lives is the walls of a supermax.
Editor’s Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
Help us report the truth about the Trump administration’s decisive actions to keep Americans safe and bring peace to the world. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
