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NYC Subway Bombing Suspect on Facebook: 'Trump, You Failed to Protect Your Nation'

Police stand in closed-off underground walkway near site of pipe bomb explosion in tunnel that connects Times Square subway station to Port Authority Bus Terminal, Dec. 11, 2017 in New York City / Getty
December 12, 2017

The man accused of detonating an explosive in the New York City transit system on Monday left a taunting message to President Donald Trump, according to a federal complaint.

Akayed Ullah, a 27-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh who lived in Brooklyn, was charged Tuesday with federal terrorism charges. In the complaint, the government claims that on the morning of the attack, Ullah left a message on Facebook reading, "Trump you failed to protect your nation."

The complaint says that Ullah appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State to carry out the failed bombing. According to police, Ullah had a suicide-bomb vest that detonated prematurely at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, a block from Times Square and one of the busiest commuter hubs. No one was killed or seriously wounded in the incident, including the person to whom the explosive was strapped.

"Ullah also posted a statement that he believed would be understood by members and supporters of ISIS to convey that Ullah carried out the attack in the name of ISIS," the complaint reads.

"Ullah's radicalization began in at least approximately 2014," it continues, alleging that Ullah began to read "pro-ISIS materials" online, instructing supporters to carry out attacks in their homelands if they could not join the fight in the Middle East.

In addition to claiming to be inspired by ISIS, Ullah has also claimed that he carried out the bombing in retaliation for Israeli police action in Gaza and because Times Square station was decorated with Christmas posters.