The FBI and Justice Department announced arrests tied to an alleged New Year’s Eve bombing plot in Los Angeles, naming an extremist group and charging multiple people; officials say the operation was stopped before any devices were detonated, and federal leaders praised the work that prevented what they called coordinated attacks across the city.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrests came after investigators uncovered an “imminent and credible” plot to plant explosives at multiple locations in Los Angeles timed for midnight on New Year’s Eve. The announcement arrived amid a tense national moment after violent incidents elsewhere, and Bondi emphasized the need for vigilant federal coordination in response. Local and federal teams reportedly worked together to identify suspects and seize materials before any attack could be carried out.
FBI Director Kash Patel provided additional detail about who was allegedly behind the scheme, describing the suspects as members of a radical offshoot tied to a group that blends pro-Palestinian and anti-government rhetoric. According to officials, the plan targeted five separate sites across Los Angeles and included threats against law enforcement personnel. Patel credited investigators and prosecutors for dismantling the plot and preventing what he characterized as potentially catastrophic attacks.
The public record filed in federal court in the Central District of California shows four people have been charged with conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Prosecutors allege the group planned to set timed explosive devices to go off at the stroke of midnight at multiple locations, which would have posed grave risk to civilians and first responders. The criminal complaint lays out alleged steps the suspects took to acquire components and coordinate targets, a narrative officials say demonstrates clear intent.
The Turtle Island Liberation Front—a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group—was preparing to conduct a series of bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year’s Eve. The group also planned to target ICE agents and vehicles.
This was an incredible effort by our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the @FBI to ensure Americans can live in peace. We will continue to pursue these terror groups and bring them to justice.
Officials say the accused identified with a faction calling itself the Turtle Island Liberation Front, an organization that mixes separatist language with violent rhetoric. Publicly available posts tied to the name have shown strong pro-Palestinian messaging and calls to action, according to investigators. Law enforcement sources indicate at least one additional person was later arrested in another district in connection with a related planned attack.
The subjects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an extremist group motivated by pro-Palestinian, anti-law-enforcement, and anti-government ideology. They were allegedly planning coordinated IED bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve, targeting five separate locations across Los Angeles.
In the days since, @FBINewOrleans arrested an additional FIFTH individual believed to be linked to this radical TILF subgroup – also allegedly planning a separate violent attack.
Outstanding work by our investigators and law enforcement partners @TheJusticeDept. Their work undoubtedly saved countless lives.
The complaint details alleged plans to use improvised explosive devices and names five intended target sites, though authorities have withheld specific locations for safety and investigative reasons. As the case moves through the courts, federal prosecutors are pursuing charges tied to conspiracy and the possession of unregistered destructive devices. Those arrested now face potential long prison terms if convicted, reflecting the seriousness with which the government treats domestic terror plots.
Public reaction has been one of relief mixed with concern about the rise of small, ideologically driven cells that can radicalize and attempt violence quickly. Officials stressed that this disruption shows the value of tip lines, surveillance, and interagency cooperation. Republican leaders and law enforcement voices used the moment to argue for continued emphasis on strong domestic security measures and robust federal enforcement capabilities.
Posts and profiles associated with the group remain visible in some corners of social platforms, drawing attention to how extremist messaging can persist online even as physical plots are blocked. The term “Turtle Island” itself has cultural roots in indigenous stories and is sometimes used to refer to North America, but investigators say the group’s violent rhetoric and planned targets are what prompted the criminal inquiries. Prosecutors ask anyone with additional information to come forward to help complete the investigation and identify any wider networks.
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