Big Jail Time for the Mosque Bomb Hulk!
Emily Claire Hari – formerly known as Michael – has been sent off to prison for a whopping 53 years after driving the 2017 pipe‑bomb that rattled a Minneapolis‑area mosque. The blast, which sparked terror in a close‑knit Somali‑American community, left nobody hurt, but it still asked for a stern response from the justice system.
How the Bombing Came About
- June 2017: The plan got wired — a militia called “The White Rabbits” boosted by new recruits in Clarence, Illinois.
- August 4‑5, 2017: Hari steered a rented pickup half a thousand miles (more than 800 km) to the Dar Al‑Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington for a morning prayer.
- A pipe bomb ignited. The blast shook the building, but miraculously no one was harmed.
Trial, Conviction and Sentencing
The five‑week federal trial in December‑2023 was a whirlwind of evidence and testimony. In the end, Hari was found guilty on five federal counts. On September 13, Judge Donovan Frank labeled the attack “a highly sophisticated and pre‑meditated act of domestic terrorism.”
“We’re not in a club where we throw bombs at religious sites,” the judge boomed, reminding lawmakers that diversity is our nation’s strength. “Any one not grasping that isn’t a real constitutional fan.”
Who Else Was Involved?
- Michael McWhorter – pleaded guilty in January 2019.
- Joe Morris – also pleaded guilty in January 2019.
Both jailed early on; Hari received the longest stint.
Why the Sentence Matters
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco warned on Monday: “Hari wanted to terrorize an entire faith community. This sentence sends a clear message: hate‑fueled terror will never stand.” She called the 53‑year term “a stern reminder that the U.S. will not tolerate this kind of gas‑lit devastation.”
Takeaway
If someone thinks they can bludgeon a congregation without consequences, they’re in for a long hard time. The justice system now has once again shown that the walls of American law are standing strong and that the repercussions are not just severe—they’re also long‑lasting.
