NYC mayor avoids ‘radical Islamic terror’ phrase after ISIS bomb plot

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned an alleged ISIS-inspired bombing outside Gracie Mansion but stopped short of using the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism,” reviving long-standing Obama-era criticism that some Democratic leaders avoid the term.

Two suspects were arrested after allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices near the mansion during a protest Saturday, with one telling authorities he was inspired by ISIS. Mamdani later called the attempted attack “terrorism,” but did not refer to radical Islam in his first public remarks.

Several Republican lawmakers and political rivals criticized Mamdani’s choice of words.

“There is absolutely no excuse for any public official to be hesitant or confused here,” New York State Sen. Steve Chan, R-Brooklyn, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

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New York State Senator Steve Chan marches along Avenue of the Americas in the Dominican Day parade in Manhattan. (Luiz Rampelotto/NurPhoto)

“Anyone who throws a bomb is not a protester: They are a terrorist, plain and simple, and elected officials should call it what it is,” Chan said, adding that he commended the New York Police Department for their courageous and quick action at the scene.

Authorities said the two suspects, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, both from suburban Philadelphia, allegedly threw improvised explosive devices containing a compound known as “Satan’s Mother” during the protest, with one admitting to being inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Greg Kelly, the son of former New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who led New York in the aftermath of 9/11 and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, criticized Mamdani for calling the protest led by an alleged “white supremacist” while sniffing at the ideology behind the alleged actions of ISIS supporters.

“Imagine this: A bomb goes off in New York, planted by ISIS-inspired terrorists. The mayor points to white supremacy as the problem; white supremacy if only we could get rid of these white supremacists,” Kelly said on his 77WABC radio show.

After the alleged attack, Mamdani held a press conference with New York Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch and denounced the “vile protest” against Islam led by the Jan. 6 defendant, Jake Lang, who allegedly inspired the two boys to attack.

“New York City will never tolerate violence, whether it comes from protests or counter-protests,” Mamdani said, condemning the arrested suspects for “coming here to commit an act of terrorism” in return.

New York Democratic scion Andrew Cuomo, a former governor and three-term mayoral candidate, also blasted Mamdani’s response.

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Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for mayor of New York (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)

“If the bomb had exploded… [it] would have literally caused horrible damage. And ironically, the police were closest to the bomb. Not Jake Lang,” he said.

“The mayor issues a statement condemning Jake Lang. I agree. And in the second part of the statement, (he) condemns the terrorists. There is no moral equivalence: Jake Lang; bigoted, hateful, of course. Yes, I agree – terrorists bringing a bomb to kill people? They are not equivalent, and this city has no tolerance for terrorism or attempted terrorism, and that statement needs to be made loud and clear,” Cuomo said.

Hours later, Mamdani returned with a statement posted on social media quoting ISIS.

“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been accused of committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS. They should be held fully accountable for their actions,” the statement read in part.

Minutes later, former Mayor Eric Adams issued his own more in-depth response to the situation, saying “no one should be surprised.”

“After years of rhetoric and incitement, attempts to justify attacks on Jews in Israel, praise for violence like the killing of a CEO, and slogans about the ‘Globalization Intifada’ and ‘Death to America,’ the words have now escalated to violence in the streets of New York, with the throwing of explosives,” Adams said.

He identified a “serious radicalization problem” across both political fringes and said it was troubling to see the focus on the radicalization of young people.

“If we don’t deal with it, the situation will only get worse,” Adams said.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, left, and one of the suspected Gracie Mansion terrorists, right. (Leonardo Munoz/Getty Images; Andrew Lictenstein/Getty Images)

One of the two suspected terrorists arrested was still a student at Neshaminy High School in Neshaminy, Pennsylvania.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a longtime Bucks County moderate, said in a statement that Middletown Township authorities were investigating the situation near the boys’ homes.

“Authorities indicated there was no known threat to the surrounding community and the situation remained under law enforcement control. The activity was not related to immigration enforcement,” Fitzpatrick said.

In a letter to parents, Neshaminy Superintendent Jason Bowman said the school is in contact with law enforcement and there is no threat to other students at this time.

President Donald Trump made what he described as the left’s refusal to label “radical Islamic terrorism” a centerpiece of his 2016 agenda, when he regularly criticized former President Barack Obama for failing to fully identify such attacks.

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“Radical Islamic terrorism, and people don’t like to say that. And our president refuses to use that term. Every time another thing happens, I say, ‘I wonder if he’ll say it this time,'” Trump said at a campaign rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He then criticized his 2016 opponent, former first lady Hillary Clinton, along similar lines.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.