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Lawyers for some of the young men arrested in Michigan as part of an alleged ISIS-inspired Halloween terror plot are pushing back against claims made by top US officials.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Last week, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the FBI foiled an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist plot in Michigan targeting Halloween weekend festivities. According to federal officials, undercover agents infiltrated online chatrooms where a group of five young men, ages 16 to 20, discussed plans for a violent attack timed to Halloween, which they referred to as “Pumpkin Day.” Investigators said the suspects had begun firearms training with AK-47-style weapons and were influenced by extremists tied to the Islamic State group. The FBI intervened after noticing the conversations shifted from theoretical discussions to talk of taking action, leading to coordinated raids on two homes in Dearborn and a storage unit in Inkster. Authorities believe at least one member of the group had ties to a former Michigan National Guard soldier previously arrested for attempting to plan an ISIS-affiliated attack, and that the suspects may have also communicated with individuals overseas.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, two lawyers representing some of the young men detained are pushing back strongly against the government’s narrative, insisting that no credible evidence supports claims of a planned terror attack. Attorney Amir Makled, who represents a 20-year-old Dearborn resident still in custody, said his client and others are being unfairly portrayed as part of a terrorist cell. “This is not a terrorist cell,” Makled told The News. “There was never any planned mass-casualty event or terrorism plot of any kind that I’m aware of. They might have been on some websites or online chat groups that they shouldn’t have been, but nothing that is illegal.” He emphasized that his client is fully cooperating with investigators, allowing searches of his home and electronic devices, and added that “having a curiosity about global events is not illegal.”

Makled criticized what he described as premature and politically motivated statements from top US officials, arguing that “the recent public statements by Director Patel and other senior officials are reckless, irresponsible, and wholly unsupported by evidence.”

Attorney Hussein Bazzi, who represents another 19-year-old Dearborn man whose home was raided, echoed that sentiment, saying his client “denies any involvement or knowledge of an alleged plot.” In a written statement, Bazzi said, “There is no credible evidence that any so-called mass casualty event was ever planned, discussed, or intended. No such plot existed.” He added that the client “has not been charged with any crime and denies involvement in any alleged plot,” calling the FBI’s public messaging “irresponsible fearmongering.”

As of the most recent updates, no federal charges have been filed against any of the young men. Two of them remain in custody as investigators continue to review evidence seized during the raids.