A Colorado man’s actions overseas and online have drawn the attention of American law enforcement and global security agencies. Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S.-German citizen, is accused of targeting the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and threatening President Donald Trump, prompting swift action from authorities.
According to The Hill, Neumayer was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday after being deported by Israeli authorities. The Department of Justice charged Neumayer with attempting to firebomb the embassy and making violent threats against Americans, including President Trump.
Officials allege Neumayer carried a dark-colored backpack containing Molotov cocktails to the embassy on May 19. After spitting at a security guard and shouting profanities, he fled the scene, leaving behind incendiary devices. Police arrested him later that day in his Tel Aviv hotel room, just five blocks from the embassy, and uncovered social media posts calling for violence against Americans and U.S. leaders.
Violent plan disrupts embassy security
Security footage and witness accounts detail Neumayer’s approach to the Tel Aviv embassy and his hostile confrontation with guards. After breaking free from security, Neumayer abandoned his backpack, which was soon found to contain three improvised incendiary devices. Authorities confirmed the presence of flammable liquids inside, designed to cause significant harm if detonated.
Israeli police tracked Neumayer to his nearby hotel room, arresting him without incident. Investigators soon found that Neumayer had posted a public call to action online, urging others to join him in "burning down the embassy" and declaring "Death to America, death to Americans." U.S. authorities say these posts, along with additional threats to President Trump and Elon Musk, underscored the seriousness of the case.
Officials credit the rapid response and cooperation between Israeli and American agencies for preventing what could have been a major international incident. Law enforcement emphasizes that the attempted attack was not only an act against U.S. property but also a direct threat to American lives and national interests.
Leaders respond with strong condemnation
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded forcefully to Neumayer’s alleged actions and threats. Bondi said, “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also addressed the situation, making clear that such acts will be met with the full force of federal law enforcement. Patel said that the FBI, together with international partners, is committed to ensuring that violent threats against Americans are never ignored or minimized.
Joseph Nocella, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where Neumayer was brought after his deportation, stated his office’s resolve to combat attacks against American interests. He described Neumayer’s actions as an attempt to “cause chaos and destruction at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv,” and pledged to prosecute such crimes vigorously.
Social media posts add to evidence
Social media played a crucial role in the investigation. Authorities say Neumayer used his accounts to broadcast his intentions, including an explicit call to “burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv.” Other posts attributed to him included death threats against President Trump and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, statements that added to the urgency of his arrest.
Federal officials have emphasized the importance of monitoring digital threats and treating them with the same seriousness as physical acts. The DOJ has pointed to Neumayer’s online posts as evidence of premeditation and intent to cause harm to U.S. citizens and leaders. These digital records are expected to be central to the prosecution’s case.
The case highlights the increasing role of social media in both enabling and foiling criminal plots. Law enforcement agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring online threats and acting swiftly to protect American interests at home and abroad.
Legal consequences and next steps
Neumayer is now in federal custody in New York, facing charges that carry a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a maximum fine of $250,000. The Department of Justice has indicated its intent to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law, citing the severity of the threatened violence against American lives and property.
Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence from the Tel Aviv investigation alongside Neumayer’s social media activity, arguing that his actions were deliberate and dangerous. The federal case will focus on both the physical attempt to attack the embassy and the explicit threats made against President Trump and other American figures.
Authorities have underscored the importance of vigilance in responding to attacks and threats against U.S. interests. They encourage the public to report any suspicious activity or online threats, reinforcing that the safety of American citizens and officials remains a top priority.
