A lawyer representing one of the suspects arrested last week by the FBI in Dearborn, Michigan, claims his client isn’t part of an underground terrorist network — he’s just a “gamer.” FBI Director Kash Patel posted about the operation on X, writing, "the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”

But according to attorney Amir Makled, who represents one of the 20-year-old suspects, none of that is true. While Makled said his client was engaging in “questionable” behavior in online chatrooms, none of his client’s behavior was illegal. He suspects the FBI will not pursue formal charges due to lack of evidence. In total, five men were arrested, all between the ages of 16 and 20.

—CNN Deletes Piece on Dearborn ISIS Plot—

Earlier today, CNN cast doubt on the ISIS attack being planned by residents of Dearborn, Michigan, framing it as “Islamophobia.”

Later, the DOJ released a 70-page criminal complaint revealing that Dearborn residents Mohmed Ali and Majed… pic.twitter.com/FXLRok7McU

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— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) November 3, 2025

MSNBC reported that Patel’s decision to publicly announce the arrests irritated some within the Justice Department, as they feared it might compromise their case against the men. This morning, Fox News shared the identity of one of the suspects and aired security camera footage showing him at a gun range.

The group, allegedly inspired by ISIS, had reportedly planned an attack on “pumpkin day,” though as of now, the specifics of said attack have not been released. However, the FBI did confirm they confiscated a cache of guns, vests and GoPros from the men.