New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned an alleged ISIS-inspired bomb plot outside Gracie Mansion but did not use the phrase "radical Islamic terror" in his initial public remarks, reviving a long-running debate over terminology that dates to the Obama era.
Two suspects, identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, both from the Philadelphia suburbs, were arrested after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices containing a compound known as "Mother of Satan" during a protest Saturday. Authorities said one suspect reportedly admitted he was inspired by ISIS.
Mamdani described the incident as "terrorism" during a press conference with NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch but did not reference radical Islam in his initial statements.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers and some Democrats quickly criticized Mamdani's initial choice of words.
"There is absolutely no excuse for any public official to equivocate or be confused here," New York State Sen. Steve Chan, R-Brooklyn, told Fox News Digital. "Anyone who throws a bomb is not a protester: they are a terrorist, plain and simple, and elected officials need to call it like it is."
Greg Kelly, son of former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, criticized Mamdani for calling out the protest as led by an alleged "White supremacist" but failing to identify the ideology behind the suspected ISIS supporters' actions. "Imagine that: a bomb goes off in New York City, laid by ISIS-inspired terrorists. The mayor points at White supremacy as the problem," Kelly said on his 77WABC radio program.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic mayoral candidate, lambasted Mamdani's response: "Had the bomb gone off, it literally would have done horrific damage. The mayor puts out a statement condemning Jake Lang. I agree. And in the second part of the statement, he condemns the terrorists. There is no moral equivalency."
Former Mayor Eric Adams, in a more extensive response, identified what he called a "serious radicalization problem" on both political fringes. "After years of hateful rhetoric and incitement... words have now escalated into violence on the streets of New York City, with explosives being thrown," Adams said.
What the Left Is Saying
Some progressive voices have defended Mamdani's approach, arguing that specific religious terminology can be counterproductive and risk alienating Muslim communities. Supporters note that the mayor ultimately condemned the act as terrorism and, hours later, issued a statement specifically referencing ISIS and the suspects' alleged allegiance to the group.
Democratic allies have emphasized that Mamdani's primary focus was on condemning violence from all sides, including a protest led by January 6 defendant Jake Lang that he characterized as a "vile protest" against Islam. Supporters argue this approach addresses the broader threat landscape without stigmatizing an entire religious community.
What the Numbers Show
The two suspects, ages 17 and 16 according to reports, were arrested near Gracie Mansion. One suspect was a student at Neshaminy High School in Pennsylvania. Prosecutors said the planned attack was "bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing." The devices contained TATP, known as the "Mother of Satan," a compound used in previous ISIS-inspired attacks.
One suspect reportedly told authorities he was inspired by ISIS. The suspects were charged with committing an act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS, according to Mamdani's later statement.
The Bottom Line
The debate over terminology reflects a longstanding partisan divide over how public officials should describe terrorism motivated by extremist Islamic ideology. Mamdani's initial response drew criticism similar to that faced by Obama-era Democrats who avoided the phrase "radical Islamic terror." The mayor ultimately cited ISIS in a later statement, though critics argue his initial response was insufficient. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about radicalization and the challenge of addressing terrorism while maintaining community cohesion.