A Pakistani man with connections to the Iranian government attempted a political assassination in the United States, according to an investigation conducted weeks before a gunman targeted former President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally.
NEW: DOJ announces it has charged a Pakistani national w/ ties to Iran in a plot to assassinate current & former US government officials on US soil in retaliation for the Soleimani killing. DOJ says Asif Merchant flew to the US in April after spending time in Iran, then traveled… pic.twitter.com/Hjp0L90BVT
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) August 6, 2024
Asif Merchant, 46, travelled to New York City in late August or early September, collaborating with a hit man to execute the assassination, federal prosecutors revealed in a court complaint. The plot aimed to target high-ranking U.S. officials, potentially including Trump.
“Merchant aimed to murder U.S. government officials on American soil on behalf of foreign actors,” stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This case illustrates the swift and decisive actions taken by this Office and the U.S. Department of Justice to safeguard our nation’s security, government officials, and citizens from foreign threats.”
Authorities arrested Merchant on July 12 as he was preparing to leave the U.S. He mentioned having a wife and children in both Iran and Pakistan.
“Fortunately, Merchant’s alleged hit men were undercover FBI agents,” said Acting Assistant Director Christie Curtis of the FBI New York Field Office. “This case highlights the dedication and formidable efforts of our agents, analysts, and prosecutors in New York, Houston, and Dallas. Their success in neutralising this threat prevented a tragic outcome and reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to protecting our nation from domestic and international threats.”
A federal government source indicated that Merchant’s alleged plot was unrelated to the attempted shooting of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Investigators noted that the targets included individuals on “both sides,” not just Trump.
According to the spokesperson of the White House, Asif Merchant has nothing to do with the assassination of Trump. Pakistani government should take notice and immediately file a case against such unbiased media. @cnni pic.twitter.com/2ezHkSinIv
— Adeel Asif Pk 🇵🇰 (@AdeelAsifPkOne) August 6, 2024
Merchant arrived in New York City from Texas in April with intentions of hiring a hit man to assassinate political figures in the U.S., as per prosecutors. He contacted someone he thought would assist him, but this person reported to the FBI and began working as a confidential source, court documents revealed.
Merchant allegedly stated in court that the “targets are those harming Pakistan and the Muslim world. These are not ordinary people.” He requested 25 men to stage a protest as a distraction after a murder and a woman for reconnaissance, according to court records.
Merchant met several times with the source, expressing his desire for the source to perform three tasks: stealing documents or USB drives from a victim’s home, organising protests at political rallies, and carrying out assassinations. At one meeting, he reportedly made a “finger gun” gesture, suggesting ongoing opportunities.
During another meeting, Merchant discussed the “party” back home he was collaborating with and planned various scenarios. He used coded language, referring to a “tee-shirt” as a “protest,” which he called the “lightest work.”
“Flannel shirt” signified “stealing,” considered “heavier work,” and “fleece jacket,” the heaviest task, indicated “the act of the game,” meaning assassinations.
The term “denim jacket” was used to refer to “sending money.”