'Pumpkin day' terror plot described by FBI Director Kash Patel called a hoax by Michigan lawyer
A Michigan lawyer is disputing Kash Patel's claims that his client was involved in a supposed Halloween terror plot, adding that the scheme never happened
A Michigan defense lawyer says that a supposed Halloween terror plot described by Kash Patel never happened.
According to Patel, five suspects were arrested for allegedly planning to carry out a terror attack on Halloween weekend. The FBI Director said more information would be released; however, few details have been released about the case.
Two sources briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press that the investigation involved discussions in an online chat room involving some of the suspects who were taken into custody. The group allegedly spoke about carrying out an attack around Halloween, referring to it as "pumpkin day," according to one of the sources. The other person confirmed that there had been a "pumpkin" reference.
However, Amir Makled, a lawyer representing one of the men who was detained, said authorities haven't given him many details about the investigation. After reviewing the incident, he's concluded that no terror plot was ever planned. He added that he doesn't expect charges to be filed.
He described the all-male group of U.S. citizens as gamers ranging in age from 16 to 20. "If these young men were on forums that they should not have been on or things of that nature, then we’ll have to wait and see," said Makled. "But I don’t believe that there’s anything illegal about any of the activity they were doing."
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In an email to CNN, Makled said he is confident that "once the facts are reviewed objectively, it will be clear there was never any planned ‘mass-casualty’ event or coordinated terror plot of any kind.
"The reality here involves a small group … with a lawful interest in recreational firearms, not a terrorist cell or organized attack. All firearms were legally obtained and registered."
Authorities said on Friday that after the arrests were made, there was no further threat to public safety. Patel wrote on X that "the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend."
Investigators say the alleged plot was inspired by Islamic State group extremism; however, it's unclear if the group had the means to carry out an attack. The references to Halloween prompted the FBI to make arrests on Friday, a source told the outlet.
"This all relates to an investigation that started months ago into people who were communicating online with each other here in the United States … but also talking to people overseas, possibly connected to ISIS," said John Miller, CNN's law enforcement and intelligence analyst, citing conversations with officials who were briefed on the case.
The participants discussed whether to carry out an ISIS-inspired plot in the U.S., "though what that plot was, when that plot would be, what the target would be, was unclear as they discussed various options in terms of timing," Miller added.
Patel praised the vigilance of the FBI, along with help from local authorities. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the FBI has thwarted several alleged attacks through sting operations that saw agents posing as terror supporters, supplying advice and equipment.