Federal authorities say they have stopped what could have been one of the deadliest far-left terror attacks in modern U.S. history, arresting four alleged members of a radical pro-Hamas extremist network who were reportedly preparing coordinated New Year’s Eve bombings across Los Angeles.
The plot sought to target innocent New Year’s Eve revelers by detonating several bombs in multiple locations across the southern California city.
The FBI confirmed the arrests in a Monday announcement.
According to the FBI, the suspects identified themselves as part of a violent offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front.
The leftist fringe group is steeped in pro-Hamas agitation, anti-police extremism, anti-capitalism, and open hostility toward the U.S. government.
Investigators say the cell was plotting to detonate improvised explosive devices at five separate locations throughout Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve, a night when millions gather in public spaces.
Authorities arrested the four suspects in Lucerne Valley, where they were allegedly preparing to test explosive devices ahead of the coordinated attacks.
Each now faces federal charges, including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device.
But the operation didn’t end there.
Fifth Suspect Captured
The FBI confirmed Monday that a fifth individual, tied to the same extremist network, was arrested in New Orleans.
That suspect is accused of planning a separate attack under the group’s banner.
WATCH:
A Radical Organization With a Violent Agenda
Investigators say the Turtle Island Liberation Front operates online, claiming its primary cell is based in Los Angeles.
The group frames its mission as freeing “Turtle Island” — an Indigenous term for North America — from what it calls the “illegal American empire.”
Their messaging openly blends pro-Hamas rhetoric with revolutionary extremism.
“Free Palestine. Free Hawaii. Free Puerto Rico,” the group posted on Instagram.
Federal officials say the arrests prevented a likely mass-casualty event on one of the busiest nights of the year, when coordinated bombings could have produced chaos across multiple neighborhoods.
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said that the four arrested are members of the group.
“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,” Patel wrote.
The FBI chief added they were plotting to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for the terror attacks.
Over the weekend, the @FBI disrupted a credible, imminent terrorist threat and arrested FOUR individuals connected to the Los Angeles area.
The subjects self-identified as members of a radical offshoot of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an extremist group motivated by… pic.twitter.com/81NfM1Mvwi
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 15, 2025
In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi said:
“After an intense investigation, the Department of Justice, working with our @FBI, prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles).
“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.”
After an intense investigation, the Department of Justice, working with our @FBI, prevented what would have been a massive and horrific terror plot in the Central District of California (Orange County and Los Angeles).
The Turtle Island Liberation Front—a far-left,…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 15, 2025
Investigation Ongoing
The FBI says the probe is far from over.
Agents are now working to determine whether additional cells, sympathizers, or foreign-linked actors were part of the plot.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the suspects, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
Neither Bondi nor Patel listed a motive for the alleged attack plots.
The arrests come as officials in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and other U.S. cities said they are on heightened alert following a terror attack in Australia’s Bondi Beach that targeted a Hanukkah event on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that more officers will be sent to Jewish schools, synagogues, and Hanukkah events across the city. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and will last until Dec. 23.
Also, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said that it is “deploying additional resources to public Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues out of an abundance of caution,” adding, “as always, if you see something, say something.”
Over the weekend, there was also a shooting that left two people dead at Rhode Island’s Brown University and an attack that left three Americans dead in central Syria, officials said.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration listed far-left Antifa groups as domestic terrorist organizations.
The move came about two weeks after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah college.
In November, the State Department listed several international antifa groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
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