US charges Pakistani national in failed Trump assassination plot

BROOKLYN: Pakistani national Asif Merchant was charged in a Brooklyn federal court with murder for hire in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate United States (US) politicians, including former President Donald Trump.

Asif Merchant allegedly spent time in Iran before traveling to the US. He is accused of attempting to recruit people to carry out the plot in retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

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The 46-year-old Pakistani national is suspected to have ties to Iran. He was arrested on July 12 in connection with an alleged assassination plot targeting former President Donald Trump and several other US public officials.

The arrest occurred just one day before Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

According to reports, Merchant’s plan included several prominent US political figures from both major parties – Democrat and Republican.

Merchant had allegedly traveled from Iran to the US with the intent of hiring assassins. He initially contacted a confidential informant, who was actually an FBI agent, to facilitate his plot.

The Pakistani national reportedly arrived in the US in April and began planning the assassination with the informant. He sought around 25 people to carry out the murders, planned to stage a protest as a distraction, and requested a woman for surveillance.

By mid-June, Merchant met with people he believed were hitmen, but who were actually undercover law enforcement officers. He provided them with a $5,000 advance and intended to leave the country immediately after the attacks.

The FBI’s investigation showed that Merchant’s plot allegedly involved stealing documents from targets, arranging a protest, and executing the assassinations. Merchant reportedly described his scheme as “not a one-time opportunity” and indicated his intention to target additional officials.

The US Secret Service had already intensified security for the event based on intelligence about threats, including those linked to Iran. Enhanced security measures at the rally included deploying counter snipers, metal detectors, and reinforcing the event’s perimeter.

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The shooting at Trump’s rally by Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents, is being investigated separately. There is currently no known connection between Merchant’s alleged plot and Crooks’ actions.

Merchant, who has claimed to have family in both Iran and Pakistan, is currently in federal custody and is reportedly cooperating with authorities.