An American-German dual citizen has been arrested after allegedly attempting to carry out a violent anti-American attack at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv—an incident that’s raising serious concerns about radicalism abroad and the security gaps that enabled such a threat to materialize.

According to a Justice Department press release, 28-year-old Joseph Neumeyer was apprehended at New York’s JFK International Airport after Israeli authorities deported him for attempting to carry out what appears to have been a politically motivated act of terror on May 19.

Neumeyer, who entered Israel in April, reportedly approached the American embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a backpack. “Without provocation Neumeyer spit on an Embassy guard as he walked past,” the DOJ release stated.

He fled the scene, leaving his backpack behind. What security found inside paints a chilling picture: three Molotov cocktails—a clear sign of premeditated violence aimed at U.S. personnel and infrastructure overseas.

Neumeyer was later arrested at his hotel, but the investigation didn’t end there. His social media history revealed disturbing intent. On the same day as the embassy incident, he posted:

“Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi did not mince words:

“This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life.”

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella added:

“His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also condemned the attack attempt, saying:

“This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions.”

If convicted, Neumeyer faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000.

But this case goes even deeper than an isolated embassy threat. According to the criminal complaint, Neumeyer previously threatened to assassinate President Donald Trump and business leader Elon Musk in March. His social media included disturbing statements such as:

“We are killing Trump and Musk now,”
“I will hunt you down and kill you both,” and
“The former President has several hours to resign or face certain death.”

Born in Colorado, Neumeyer lived in the U.S. before relocating to Canada in February. The New York Post reports that his online activity displayed a cocktail of extremist ideologies, including anti-American, pro-Hamas, and pro-Russian sentiments. His posts featured slogans like “From the River to the Sea”—a known Hamas rallying cry—alongside “long live the Fourth Reich,” and calls for an end to British sovereignty in Northern Ireland.

This arrest shines a spotlight on the global reach of anti-American extremism and underscores the importance of maintaining strong national defense policies, intelligence coordination, and decisive leadership.

The question remains: How many more like Neumeyer are flying under the radar?