A Pakistani man suspected of plotting to kill high-ranking U.S. politicians or officials, including potentially former President Donald Trump, is now in U.S. custody. Asif Merchant, 46, was charged with attempting to hire hit men for the plot, according to U.S. officials and court documents.
Merchant’s Arrest and Charges
Merchant was arrested in Texas on July 12 as he prepared to leave the country. Officials revealed Tuesday that the plot was not connected to an assassination attempt on Trump in Butler County, Pennsylvania, the day after Merchant’s arrest. Instead, it appears linked to Iran’s efforts to retaliate for the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a 2020 U.S. drone strike ordered by Trump.
Court filings describe the potential target as a U.S. politician or public official, without specifically naming Trump. However, Trump’s name was mentioned as a possible target during Merchant’s discussions with others, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Details of the Plot
A former senior Trump administration official stated Tuesday he had received a “duty to warn” briefing from the FBI about Merchant prior to the unsealing of the indictment. Merchant allegedly made a comment indicating the target was well-protected, during a sting operation by the FBI on June 4.
Court Proceedings
Merchant appeared in federal court in Brooklyn on July 17, where a magistrate judge ordered him held without bail. The criminal complaint and a letter from prosecutors urging Merchant’s detention were kept secret until Tuesday at the government’s request.
Attorney General’s Statement
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the alleged plot during a visit to prosecutors and law enforcement agents in Iowa on Tuesday. He emphasized that investigators do not see a connection to the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, carried out by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old American from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper.
FBI Investigation
The FBI learned of Merchant’s plot in April after he traveled in Iran and Pakistan before flying to the U.S. and reaching out to someone who reported Merchant’s intentions to law enforcement. This individual agreed to become an FBI confidential source.
The FBI arranged undercover officers to pose as hit men, meeting Merchant in June. He expressed his intention to kill a “political person” and provided a written code to obscure their interactions, referring to “protests” as “tee-shirts,” “stealing” as “flannel shirts,” and “murder” as “fleece jackets.” Agents found a list of these codewords in Merchant’s wallet during his arrest.
Potential Iranian Connection
While the court filings don’t explicitly state Merchant was acting on behalf of Iran, they note his affinity for the country and frequent travels there. Merchant also has family in both Iran and Pakistan.
Increased Security Measures
The Secret Service has heightened security for Trump and other current and former U.S. officials in response to threats from Iran, partly prompted by Merchant’s plot. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that officials are considering the Iranian threat in their security planning.
Congressional Concerns
In light of these threats, some members of Congress have advocated for increased security coverage. During a Senate hearing last week about the Pennsylvania assassination attempt on Trump, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) questioned acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe about the cancellation of a security detail for former national security adviser Robert O’Brien, urging for its restoration given the ongoing threats.
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