Pakistani Man Indicted for Alleged Terrorism Plot to Assassinate U.S. Officials

A man from Pakistan, identified as Asif Merchant, has been indicted for allegedly plotting to assassinate U.S. government officials and is now facing terrorism charges. This follows his initial arrest earlier this year on a murder for hire charge.

Allegations of Terrorism

Asif Merchant is accused of attempting to carry out an act of terrorism, in addition to the original murder-for-hire charge. The indictment describes that he "attempted to kill a person within the United States" who was either "a member of the uniformed services" or "any official" of the U.S. government. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, the indictment does not disclose the specific individuals allegedly targeted by Merchant.

Reports indicate that Merchant had connections to Iran and was possibly considering former President Donald Trump as a target, as well as President Biden and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The exact details of his connections to Iran remain limited, but charging documents revealed that he had a family in Iran and had made frequent trips to Iran, Syria, and Iraq.

Detailed Planning and Arrest

Merchant's alleged plot involved detailed planning, with him reportedly discussing the assassination plans with a co-conspirator, even sketching out the plot on a napkin in a New York hotel room. He was arrested shortly before a planned trip abroad, and during a search, authorities found a handwritten note containing codewords related to the plot.

Merchant, who has been in custody since his arrest, has pleaded not guilty to the original complaint and has not yet been arraigned on the updated charge. His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Furthermore, intelligence regarding Merchant's alleged plot played a significant role in prompting the U.S. Secret Service to bolster security for former President Trump in recent months. Notably, he was arrested a day before a reported assassination attempt against Trump in Pennsylvania; however, officials clarified that there is no evidence linking Merchant's alleged plot to that event.

U.S. Government's Response

The U.S. Intelligence and law enforcement officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, have been investigating various threats from Iran against politicians and government officials. This scrutiny follows the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani during the Trump administration. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the Justice Department will not tolerate Iran's attempts to target U.S. public officials and jeopardize national security.