Politics

Pakistani Man Tied to Iran Charged in Plot to Assassinate Trump

Aug 6, 2024 1 min read

Jump to Summary

Asif Merchant, a 46-year-old Pakistani national with alleged ties to Iran, has been charged with attempting to orchestrate political assassinations on US soil. Merchant is accused of meeting with undercover agents posing as hitmen and paying a $5,000 advance for the plot. He was arrested last month as he prepared to leave the US, with plans to provide further instructions upon his return to Pakistan. The Department of Justice has not disclosed the specific targets but suspects the plot could be in retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

Merchant's arrest comes amid heightened concerns about foreign-originating threats against American public figures. Two years ago, officials disrupted a similar plot targeting former national security adviser John Bolton. The recent threat led to increased security at a rally where former President Donald Trump was wounded. U.S. officials have long warned about Iran's desire to avenge Soleimani's death, and the White House continues to monitor Iranian threats against former and current politicians. Merchant is charged with murder-for-hire in federal court in New York.

#pakistani #general #crime #murder

Summary

Other news in politics

Pentagon warns six-month budget bill will devastate military

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has warned that the passage of a six-month temporary spending bill, which caps spending at 2024 levels, would have significant negative impacts on the military. According to Austin, the continuing resolution would harm thousands of defense programs and hinder military recruiting efforts. The bill would result

Poland Prevents Belarus-Russia Cyber Sabotage

Poland's Deputy Prime Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, announced that Polish security services have successfully thwarted a cyber sabotage operation orchestrated by Russia and Belarus. The operation targeted local and central government institutions, including state-owned companies involved in military contracts, with the aim of extorting information and blackmailing individuals and

Kamala Harris Campaign Website Now Lists Policy Platform

Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has unveiled a detailed policy platform on its website, titled "A New Way Forward," addressing key economic, healthcare, and civil rights issues. This move follows criticism for not previously listing her policy positions. The platform includes plans to cut taxes for

Will Ospreay Retains AEW Title in Epic Match Against PAC

Will Ospreay successfully retained his AEW International Championship after defeating PAC in a highly competitive match at the AEW All Out 2024 pay-per-view event held in Chicago, Illinois. The match was characterized by a series of high-flying and technical maneuvers from both competitors, including PAC reversing Ospreay's stormbreaker