Philadelphia Men Plead Not Guilty in Failed Bomb Plot at Gracie Mansion Protest

Two men from the Philadelphia area entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in Manhattan federal court after being charged with attempting to carry out a bomb attack inspired by the Islamic State group outside the New York City mayor’s residence earlier this year.

Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, face multiple charges, including attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction. Federal prosecutors allege the pair traveled from Pennsylvania to Manhattan on March 7 with homemade explosive devices targeting an anti-Islam demonstration held in front of Gracie Mansion.

The demonstration, organized by far-right activist Jake Lang, was aimed at Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is notable as the city's first Muslim mayor. According to authorities, Balat and Kayumi threw two shrapnel-filled devices containing the explosive TATP toward the protest, but neither device detonated, preventing injuries. Police quickly detained both suspects. At the time of the incident, the mayor and his wife were not present at the residence.

Prosecutors stated that a dashcam in the suspects' vehicle captured conversations about plans to cause mass casualties, with references to an intent to kill as many as 60 people. Both men reportedly told authorities they were inspired by the Islamic State, as described in the federal complaint.

Attorneys representing the suspects did not provide immediate comment following the court proceedings. The next hearing in this case has been scheduled for June 16. Both men remain in custody as the federal investigation continues.