“Good afternoon. I’m joined by Police Commissioner Kelly, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence David Cohen, and our Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. And we’re also honored to have with us today Rabbi Michael Miller and David Pollock from the Jewish Community Relations Council, the JCRC, and Imam Shamsi Ali, the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Center on 96th Street and Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens.

“The successful raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound was a critically important victory in our nation’s war against terrorism, and it was a testament to exceptional work done by our military and intelligence communities. But we knew that we could not rest for a moment.

“New York City is an international symbol of freedom and liberty. And for that reason, we will always be a target – we will always be on guard to protect the people of this city.

“Yesterday, detectives from the NYPD arrested two men who said they wanted to destroy a major synagogue in Manhattan, and then purchased several weapons and a hand grenade from an undercover officer.

“Fortunately, long before their aspirations could take hold, New York City police officers were watching them and were in a position to take them into custody, before they could maim and murder innocent New Yorkers. 

“We are concerned about ‘lone wolves’ acting against New York City in the wake of the killing of bin Laden. And that’s why the case before us today is so important.

“No city has invested more in counterterrorism efforts than ours, because keeping New Yorkers safe is our highest priority. By assigning 1,000 of our best officers to counterterrorism and intelligence duties, and by investing in high-tech systems that improve our ability to identify and react to potential terrorist activity, the NYPD has been able to prevent terrorists from striking our city since the attacks of 9/11.

“As I said last week during our budget presentation, we always make sure the Police Department has enough resources to protect this city, and, if necessary, we’ll figure out how to pay for it later. Commissioner Kelly has done a masterful job over the years of doing more with less, including assigning more than a thousand police officers daily to counterterrorism duties.

“Yesterday’s developments, and 12 other plots thwarted since 9/11, I think are ample evidence of just how good a job they’ve done. I wanted to commend Commissioner Kelly and his investigators, as well as District Attorney Vance and his outstanding staff for pursuing this important case.

“Before Commissioner Kelly provides details of the investigation and arrests that took place last evening, let me just point that even as the NYPD continues to do such great work in this area, today there was a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a measure that would have prevented people on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns. I’m sorry to report that that measure failed. Our Coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns has urged Congress to pass such restrictions, and last night’s arrest is a perfect illustration why.”