Mamdani Refuses To Call ISIS Inspired Bomb Suspects ‘Terrorists’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced backlash Sunday after declining to directly label two suspects as terrorists following an attempted bombing that police say was inspired by ISIS.

Authorities say the suspects attempted to deploy improvised explosive devices during a protest near Gracie Mansion, prompting a major police response and a counterterrorism investigation.

During a press conference, Mamdani began his remarks by condemning the protest that had been targeted, calling it a “vile protest rooted in white supremacy.” The demonstration had been organized by conservative activist Jake Lang and was titled “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,” Mamdani said while addressing the situation.

Although he criticized the protest, Mamdani also emphasized that demonstrations are protected under the Constitution.

“Ours is a free society where the right to peaceful protest is sacred,” Mamdani said. “It does not belong only to those we agree with. It belongs to everyone.”

He added that many of the counter protesters responded peacefully despite the tensions.

“Many of the counter protesters met this display of bigotry peacefully, with a vision of a city that is welcoming to all,” Mamdani said.

When addressing the suspects directly, Mamdani stopped short of calling them terrorists.

“Two men, Amir Balat and Ibrahim Qayyumi, traveled from Pennsylvania and attempted to bring violence to New York City,” Mamdani said. “They are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism.”

Video released by police shows the two men throwing improvised explosive devices toward the protest crowd.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack is now being investigated as an ISIS inspired act of terrorism.

Investigators determined that at least one of the devices contained TATP, a highly unstable explosive commonly known as the “Mother of Satan” due to its volatility and destructive power.

“TATP is a dangerous and highly volatile explosive that has been used in IED attacks around the world,” Tisch said. “Our bomb squad rendered both devices safe.”

Officials said the explosives had the potential to cause serious injury or death if they had detonated fully.

Authorities also discovered a third suspicious device inside a vehicle on Sunday. After examination, investigators determined that the object did not contain explosive material, though it prompted another emergency police response.

Following the incident, the NYPD announced it is increasing counterterrorism resources throughout the city.

Commissioner Tisch said additional heavy weapons teams, K9 units, and aviation assets are being deployed as the city remains on heightened alert following the start of hostilities involving Iran.

She warned the public not to underestimate how serious the situation could have been.

“The last time an IED was deployed targeting people in New York City was in 2017 when Akayed Ullah detonated a device in a Times Square subway station,” Tisch said. That explosion injured only Ullah himself.

“Once again we were fortunate that the devices used this weekend did not cause the kind of harm they were capable of causing,” she added. “But luck is never a strategy.”

Police said officers at the scene immediately rushed toward the danger once the devices were ignited.

“When those devices were lit in the middle of a crowded protest, officers did not step back. They stepped forward,” Tisch said.

Both suspects were taken into custody immediately after the devices were thrown.

“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 were taken off our streets,” Mamdani said.

Authorities say additional information about the suspects and the explosive devices is expected to be released in a formal criminal complaint as the investigation continues.