Federal agents detained Asif Raza Merchant, a Pakistani national with alleged connections to Iran, for reportedly concocting a complex assassination conspiracy targeting former President Donald Trump.

The intricate scheme is said to have included hiring hitmen, staging protests, and stealing confidential documents to execute the plot against Trump, as the Daily Wire reports.

Law Enforcement Announced Arrest

On Tuesday, federal law enforcement officials announced the arrest of Merchant, who is 46 years old. The arrest took place in New York on July 12.

Merchant had arrived in the country from Pakistan in April 2024 after previously spending time in Iran. After his arrival, he contacted an individual he believed could aid in his plan. The contacted individual immediately informed law enforcement agencies and began cooperating as a confidential source (CS).

Plot With Multiple Objectives

In June, Merchant divulged to the CS that his mission encompassed three primary objectives. These included stealing documents or USB drives, planning a protest, and assassinating a politician or a U.S. government official. He cautioned that the assassination target would have extensive security. Despite this, he was determined to carry out the attack.

The plan also involved Merchant using secret code words for communication and leaving the country before the assassination took place.

FBI Steps Posed as Hired Hitmen

Undercover federal agents posed as the hired hitmen Merchant sought. They agreed to accept a $5,000 fee for carrying out the crimes.

When FBI agents arrived to arrest Merchant and execute a search warrant, they were met with resistance. Merchant refused to exit his residence for about 20 minutes following the FBI's announcement of the search warrant. Upon searching Merchant, authorities discovered a handwritten note in his wallet that included code words related to the plot.

Trap Set by Confidential Source

The confidential source (CS) played a crucial role in facilitating the investigation. Merchant believed the CS could orchestrate the plot effectively. Court documents revealed that specific targets were not identified. However, sources indicated that Trump was among those mentioned by Merchant.

The Department of Justice highlighted Merchant's intention to overturn political stability. "Merchant orchestrated a plot to assassinate a politician or U.S. government officials on U.S. soil," the DOJ remarked.

Timing Of Arrest Day Before Rally Incident

Notably, Merchant's arrest occurred just a day before a significant incident involving former President Trump. On July 13, 2024, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

While Merchant himself was not involved in the rally incident, it underscored the gravity of threats against Trump and the consequential timing of the arrest.

The U.S. Secret Service had been tracking an Iranian assassination plot in the weeks leading up to Crooks' shooting of Trump.

Iranian Efforts to Disrupt Campaign

According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Iran aims to undermine Trump's presidential campaign efforts. This overarching objective further contextualizes Merchant's alleged plot.

Merchant's case exhibits the intersection of international relations and domestic political security. Federal authorities emphasize their vigilance in countering such threats.

The arrest and investigation continue to develop, with potential implications for U.S. policy and diplomatic engagements with Iran and Pakistan.

Conclusion

Federal law enforcement detained Pakistani national Asif Raza Merchant for an alleged assassination plot targeting former President Donald Trump.

The plan included recruiting hitmen, planning protests, and stealing confidential documents. Merchant, after arriving from Pakistan with alleged ties to Iran, was apprehended in New York on July 12, 2024.

The U.S. Secret Service and federal agents remain vigilant as Iran's motives to disrupt Trump's campaign persist.