The FBI has arrested a Florida man they say plotted to bomb the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in an effort to “reset” the U.S. government. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, faces charges of attempting to use an explosive to damage or destroy a building involved in interstate commerce, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.
This isn’t your everyday story of misguided rage—it’s the culmination of a months-long investigation that paints a disturbing picture of a man allegedly willing to go to terrifying lengths to make his grievances known.
A Dangerous Plan Unfolds
The case against Yener started in February, when the FBI received a tip about bomb-making schematics stored in an unlocked storage unit in Coral Springs, Florida. What agents found sounds like something out of a bad action movie: notebooks with diagrams of explosives, watches with timers, and electronic circuit boards.
But this wasn’t just idle doodling. Yener allegedly told agents he had experience building explosives and rockets and even tried to join domestic extremist groups. When undercover agents posing as militia members entered the picture, Yener reportedly jumped at the chance to share his plans.
After obtaining YENER’sconsent to search and a subsequent search warrant, FBI special agents found bomb making sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards, and other electronics inYENER’s storage unit that could be used for constructing explosive devices. From search warrant returns on YENER’s Google accounts, agents discovered his repeated internet searches for aspects of bombmaking since as early as 2017. During an interview on March 1, 2024, YENER told law enforcement he had experience building “rockets” and “bombs,” and that he had previously attempted to join domestic extremist groups.
The NYSE was his target of choice. According to court documents, he called it “a great hit” and compared the potential destruction to “a small nuke.” Yener allegedly said the bombing would not only devastate the financial hub but also deliver a political message he believed Americans would rally behind.
Meticulous—and Chilling—Details
The FBI affidavit outlines Yener’s methodical planning. He allegedly worked on converting two-way radios into remote detonators, mapped out NYSE’s security measures, and even planned his disguise. Suggestions ranged from dressing as a FedEx driver to wearing a business suit—anything to blend in while planting the bomb.
And he wasn’t shy about his goals. Court documents reveal he recorded audio messages explaining his motives, saying, “I feel like Bin Laden” and that the bombing would be the start of a new revolution.
Yener’s timeline was aggressive. By mid-November, he allegedly told agents the attack would happen before Thanksgiving. “This has to go down,” he said, according to court records.
A Broader Pattern Emerges
Yener’s case is just the latest in a disturbing trend of domestic terror plots targeting U.S. landmarks and institutions. In the last few months alone, the FBI has stopped an Election Day bombing attempt and a murder-for-hire scheme against government officials.
What makes this case especially alarming is the target itself. The NYSE isn’t just a building in lower Manhattan; it’s a global symbol of American capitalism and resilience. Hitting it, as Yener allegedly planned, wouldn’t just disrupt business—it would aim to shake the very foundation of the U.S. economy.
