An American man was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport, accused of plotting to bomb the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and making threats against Donald Trump.
According to the Daily Mail, Neumayer, 28, was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport after being deported from Israel. Authorities allege he threatened to assassinate President Donald Trump and attempted to bomb the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv.
Federal prosecutors now face a high-profile case involving social media threats, Molotov cocktails, and international law enforcement cooperation. The case raises serious concerns about security for American officials abroad and at home.
Neumayer arrived in Israel in April, authorities said. His actions came to a head on May 19, when he reportedly spit on a security guard outside the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv. After allegedly breaking free from the guard, Neumayer left a dark-colored backpack behind, which sparked an immediate police response.
Inside the abandoned bag, investigators discovered three Molotov cocktails—homemade incendiary devices commonly associated with violent attacks. Israeli police and bomb squad personnel quickly secured the scene and arrested Neumayer at his hotel soon after.
Law enforcement officials say his social media activity was equally alarming. On the same day as the embassy incident, Neumayer allegedly posted online: “Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f**k the west.” Other posts reportedly included explicit threats against President Trump and high-profile figures such as Elon Musk.
After his arrest in Israel, Neumayer was deported back to the United States. Upon his arrival at JFK Airport on Sunday, U.S. authorities immediately took him into custody. The Justice Department charged him with attempting to destroy the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv by means of fire or explosive.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a strong statement regarding the case. "This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law,” Bondi said.
If convicted, Neumayer faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
The incident comes at a time of heightened political tension, both in the United States and internationally. Supporters of President Trump have expressed outrage at the threats, demanding the harshest possible penalties for anyone who targets American leaders or interests.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York emphasized the seriousness of the charges. “His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad,” Nocella stated.
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed that sentiment, vowing that the FBI and its partners “will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions.” Conservative commentators argue that this case highlights the need for vigilance against threats to American institutions, regardless of where those threats originate.
Neumayer’s arrest was not the only violence involving Americans and Israelis in recent days. Just days earlier, a gunman in Washington, D.C., killed a young Israeli couple as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. That suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” after the shooting, adding another layer of complexity to an already tense international climate.
Some observers draw connections between these incidents, raising concerns about the influence of online rhetoric and the risks faced by American diplomats and political leaders. Critics of current security policies argue that more must be done to prevent such attacks—whether in the Middle East or in the United States.
Others caution against drawing broad conclusions from individual cases, pointing out that law enforcement acted swiftly in both situations. The debate over free speech, online radicalization, and foreign policy continues to shape public discourse.
