FBI Director Kash Patel claimed this week that his agency had “foiled” a Halloween terror plot in Michigan, announcing the arrests of a 20-year-old man and four other young suspects. The sweeping allegation painted a picture of a dangerous, imminent attack—but so far, authorities have released few details about the case. Now, a Michigan defense lawyer is pushing back against Patel’s claims of a terror plot.
According to two people briefed on the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, the case involved discussions in an online chat room among at least some of the suspects. The group allegedly talked about carrying out an attack around Halloween, referring to “pumpkin day,” one source said. Another confirmed there was a “pumpkin” reference.
But Amir Makled, the lawyer representing a man from the suburb of Dearborn who was still detained Saturday, said federal authorities haven’t provided many details. After reviewing the case, Makled concluded no terror attack was planned and does not expect charges to be filed.
“I don’t know where this hysteria and this fearmongering came from,” Makled said. He described the all-male group of U.S. citizens as gamers, aged 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,” Makled said. “But I don’t believe that there’s anything illegal about any of the activity they were doing.”
Authorities said Friday there was no ongoing threat to public safety. Patel had posted 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 allege the supposed plan was inspired by Islamic State extremism. It remains unclear whether the suspects had the means to carry out an attack, but references to Halloween prompted the FBI to make arrests.
Patel credited the vigilance of the FBI and local authorities for stopping the plot.
