A Pakistani man, Asif Merchant, has been charged with plotting an assassination possibly targeting former President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. Merchant, 46, was arrested on July 12 after meeting with undercover FBI agents posing as hitmen in New York City.
Merchant allegedly paid the agents $5,000 to initiate the plot and to steal documents from government officials’ homes. He also discussed organizing protests at political rallies. According to prosecutors, Merchant planned to return to Pakistan and provide further instructions, including target details, at a future meeting in Dubai or Istanbul.
“This prosecution demonstrates that the U.S. Department of Justice will take swift and decisive action to protect our nation’s security,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. The plot was not linked to a separate assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania on July 13.
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