A Pakistani national with alleged connections to Iran was arrested last month on charges of plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and several other public officials, according to a criminal complaint revealed in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday. Although Trump’s name isn’t mentioned in the complaint, sources report that he was one of the intended targets. Other potential targets included officials from both political parties.
Asif Merchant, 46, is accused of attempting to recruit hitmen in the U.S. after traveling from Pakistan, where he had spent time. The person he contacted was an FBI informant, as noted in the complaint. Merchant is charged with murder for hire.
Merchant was arrested on July 12, just a day before Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot in the ear.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the Justice Department is committed to countering Iran’s efforts to retaliate against American officials and will not tolerate threats to national security.
According to the Justice Department, Merchant arrived from Iran in April and sought help for his plot. The individual he reached out to turned out to be a confidential informant who then reported the plot to authorities.
Merchant allegedly met with the informant again in early June, discussing the assassination plan and asking for around 25 people to create a distraction and a woman for reconnaissance.
By mid-June, Merchant met with individuals he believed were hitmen but who were actually undercover law enforcement officers. He paid them $5,000 in advance and planned to leave the U.S. after the murders. Instead, he was arrested on July 12, the day he intended to depart.
Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis of the FBI stated that the undercover agents’ involvement prevented a potential tragedy and highlighted the FBI’s commitment to safeguarding the nation. Officials noted that no link has been found between Merchant and Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old who was shot and killed after attempting to assassinate Trump from a rooftop.
The arrest may shed light on some last-minute security changes for the rally.
