Jake Lang, Gracie Mansion, and Zohran Mamdani: IED Confirmed, Two Pennsylvania Men Face Federal Charges

New York City's first Muslim mayor narrowly avoided potential disaster Saturday. An improvised explosive device — loaded with nuts, bolts, and screws — was hurled outside Gracie Mansion during dueling protests organized by pardoned January 6 rioter Jake Lang. The NYPD confirmed Sunday the device was real and capable of causing death. Two Pennsylvania men are expected to face federal terrorism charges.

What Happened at Gracie Mansion on March 7

An anti-Islam protest organized by people associated with Jake Lang, a pardoned January 6 rioter and far-right influencer, was called "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City/Stop New York City Public Muslim Prayer." The Lang-associated protest drew about 20 participants, beginning at about 11 a.m. near East End Avenue and East 87th Street. A counterprotest called "Run the Nazis Out of New York City/Stand Against Hate" drew about 125 participants. NYPD officers arrived on the scene and separated the groups into designated protest areas.

Tensions escalated shortly before noon. At 12:15 p.m., one protester from the Lang group fired pepper spray at counterprotesters and was arrested. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., an 18-year-old counterprotester lit and threw an ignited device toward the protest area. It landed in the crosswalk and witnesses reported seeing flames and smoke as it traveled through the air. The device struck a barrier and extinguished itself a few feet from police officers. The counterprotester then ran and retrieved a second device from a 19-year-old man.

NYPD Confirms Device Was a Real IED

On Sunday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the bomb squad had determined that at least one of the devices was an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death. The devices were filled with nuts, bolts, and screws. Neither device fully detonated.

The devices are being sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for additional testing. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation.

Two Pennsylvania Men Arrested — ISIS Videos, Federal Charges Coming

Two Pennsylvania men arrested outside Gracie Mansion during the counterprotest told investigators they watch ISIS videos and confronted Lang as he hosted a pig roast. Emir Balat of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Ibrahim Kayumi of Newton, Pennsylvania, are expected to face federal charges. The counterprotest they staged is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.

The devices were smaller than a football and appeared to be jars wrapped in black tape with nuts, bolts, and screws packed inside. Two young men from Pennsylvania, ages 18 and 19, were arrested in connection to the devices. Law enforcement left the state to speak to their relatives.

Jake Lang — Who He Is and What He Did Saturday

The protest was organized by right-wing activist and pardoned January 6 protester Jake Lang, who has organized other provocative demonstrations including a pro-ICE protest in Minneapolis. Lang brought a cooked pig — a hateful reference to Islam's rules against eating pork. He also arrived at the scene stepping out of a U-Haul van carrying a goat.

Lang has attended multiple rallies following his pardon by President Donald Trump. In January, he said he was stabbed by a counterprotester at a pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis but was shielded from injury by a protective vest. Lang has not commented on the Gracie Mansion incident or the arrests.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani Was Inside Gracie Mansion — Safe

Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inside Gracie Mansion when the devices were thrown. He and first lady Rama Duwaji were unharmed. A spokesperson said the events were a stark reminder of the threats they both face regularly. Mamdani is New York City's first Muslim mayor, and the protest was held during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement Sunday morning, Mamdani said: "Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe."

In total, six people were arrested: the two men responsible for handling and deploying the devices, the person who deployed pepper spray, and three others related to disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic.