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By Steve Mollman
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani—the city's first Muslim mayor—on Monday morning reacted to a terrorist attack that followed an anti-Islam demonstration and counter-protest that occurred on Saturday outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence. The demonstration, which drew about 20 people, was organized by Jake Lang, a conservative influencer who was pardoned for charges tied to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. The counter-protest involved about 125 people.
Two Pennsylvania men—Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19—have been arrested after they deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which failed to detonate, during clashes between the two sides. New York City Comptroller Mark D. Levine, citing information from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, told Newsweek the two individuals arrested in connection with the devices were part of the counter-protest, not Lang's group.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, speaking after Mamdani's remarks on Monday, said: "I can confirm this morning that this is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism." Then Balat and Kayumi—awaiting arraignment on charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction—admitted to police they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group.
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The incident comes amid increasing security concerns linked to the Iran war. New York Governor Kathy Hochul posted on X today: "As the investigation into the terrorist attack near Gracie Mansion and military action in Iran continue, New York State remains in a heightened threat environment." Republican lawmakers have cited broader global instability in urging Congress to approve Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding.
Separately, immigration enforcement has emerged as a point of political contention. Last month, Mamdani, a Democrat, told President Donald Trump that he had concerns about the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Democrats in Congress have pushed to reform some of those practices—such as agents wearing masks or entering homes without judicial warrants—before agreeing to certain funding measures.
Mamdani Responds to Terrorist Attack
Here's what Mamdani said on Monday:
On Saturday a protest was held outside Gracie Mansion, where I live with my wife Rama. Neither of us were home at the time. This was a vile protest rooted in white supremacy, entitled Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City.
I'm the first Muslim mayor of our city. Anti-Muslim bigotry is nothing new to me, nor is it anything new for the 1 million or so Muslim New Yorkers who know this city as our home. While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen. Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred. It does not belong only to those we agree with. It belongs to everyone. I will defend that right every day that I am mayor, even when those protesting say things that I abhor.
Let me also be clear about something else: New York City will never tolerate violence, whether from protests or counter-protests. Many of the counter-protesters met this display of bigotry peacefully, with a vision of a city that is welcoming to all. But a few did not. Two men, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to bring violence to New York City. They are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism.
There is video of these two individuals throwing two devices towards the protest. The police department has determined that these were improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim, or worse. Thanks to the swift and decisive actions of NYPD officers at the scene, both men were immediately taken into custody, and the devices they brought taken off of our streets.
I want to commend the officers who were on site. They faced a chaotic situation that very quickly could have become far more dangerous. NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro ran towards the danger so that others could run to safety. They are here with us now, and I want to thank them today publicly, as I did yesterday, privately, and to thank the dozens of other officers who responded without hesitation. That is courage. That is selflessness. And I'm deeply grateful to both of them and to every member of the NYPD who works every single day to keep New Yorkers safe.
As the NYPD continued their investigation yesterday, they found a third suspicious device in a vehicle on East End between 81st and 82nd Street. Out of an abundance of caution, they conducted a number of limited evacuations of nearby buildings before removing the device from the area. Once the device was removed, those evacuated were allowed to return to their homes.
I am grateful for their continued work to keep New Yorkers safe. And let me say this plainly: Anyone who comes to New York City to bring violence to our streets will be held accountable in accordance with the law. As this case continues to develop, I will remain in close contact and communication with our police commissioner. I want to say thank you once again to everyone who acted on Saturday to protect their fellow New Yorkers and to uphold the values of this city.
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