Iranian-Linked Man Charged in Trump Assassination Attempt

Iranian-Linked Man Charged in Foiled Trump Assassination Plot

Trump's legal team was initially required to respond to Special Counsel Jack Smith's argument by...

Iranian national charged in connection with foiled plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, revealing shocking details of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps involvement.

A Pakistani national with ties to Iran, Asif Merchant, has been indicted for attempting to assassinate a US politician or government official, specifically Donald Trump. This shocking plot was foiled by law enforcement before any harm could be done.

The Plot Thickens

Merchant allegedly orchestrated the plot after spending time in Iran, arriving in the US in April and contacting a person he thought could assist him. He even met with undercover agents, paying them $5,000 as an advance payment for the assassination.

Consequences

If convicted, Merchant faces life in prison. This case highlights the ongoing threat of Iranian-backed terrorism against US officials and citizens.

Case Updates

The Justice Department has emphasized its commitment to holding accountable those involved in Iran's lethal plotting against Americans. The FBI has also stressed its priority in protecting Americans from terrorist threats, both domestic and foreign.

The US Justice Department has announced charges against Farhad Shakeri, a 51-year-old Iranian man, for his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, orchestrated by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps. According to the department, Shakeri revealed to law enforcement that he was tasked with devising a plan to kill Trump on October 7, 2024, but claimed he had no intention of following through within the IRGC's timeline.

Shakeri, described as an IRGC asset residing in Tehran, has an interesting past. He immigrated to the US as a child but was deported in 2008 following a robbery conviction. Currently, he's at large and believed to be hiding in Iran.

In a related development, two New York residents, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt, have been charged with assisting Shakeri in a plot to kill a US citizen of Iranian origin in New York. The target, though unnamed, matches the description of Masih Alinejad, a journalist and activist who's criticized Iran's head-covering laws for women. Alinejad was previously targeted for kidnapping in 2021, and a man was arrested outside her home with a rifle in 2022.

Charges and Defendants:

Farhad Shakeri: Charged with plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump

Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt: Charged with helping Shakeri plot to kill a US citizen of Iranian origin in New York

Related Incidents:

• 2021: Four Iranians charged with plotting to kidnap Masih Alinejad
• 2022: Man arrested outside Alinejad's home with a rifle.

Prosecutors have charged an Iranian national, Farhad Shakeri, in connection with a plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, allegedly orchestrated by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps. Although prosecutors haven't publicly identified the target of this plot, details suggest it may be Masih Alinejad, a prominent journalist and activist critical of Iran's head-covering laws for women.

Alinejad has faced threats before - four Iranians were charged in 2021 with plotting to kidnap her, and a man was arrested outside her home with a rifle in 2022. In the current case, two New York residents, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt, have been charged with aiding Shakeri in the plot to kill a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin in New York. Both Rivera and Loadholt have been ordered detained pending trial, but their lawyers haven't commented.

In a related development, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has paused proceedings in President-elect Donald Trump's 2020 election subversion case. This decision comes after federal prosecutors requested more time to navigate the “unprecedented circumstance” of Trump's impending return to the White House. Special Counsel Jack Smith sought the delay to assess the situation and determine the best course forward, consistent with Department of Justice policy.

As stated in the court order, prosecutors need time to “afford the Government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward.” This delay is largely due to a longstanding Justice Department policy, established in the 1970s, which dictates that a sitting president cannot face criminal prosecution.

Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges last year, accusing him of conspiring to obstruct the collection and certification of votes following his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden. The charges stem from Trump's efforts to reverse Biden's victory, which ultimately led to the deadly January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. This event was sparked by a fiery speech Trump delivered near the White House.

In a recent turn of events, Trump's victory in the latest election has significant implications for the two federal cases against him. His win is likely to bring these cases to a close. As president, Trump will have the authority to halt the prosecutions.

Trump's legal team was initially required to respond to Special Counsel Jack Smith's argument by November 21. Smith claimed that the case could proceed following a US Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official actions taken during their term. However, with Trump's election victory, the situation has changed. Prosecutors will now inform the judge by December 2 on how they plan to proceed.

Developments:

Trump's Plea: Trump pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges related to obstructing vote collection and certification.

Election Impact: Trump's victory likely ends the two federal cases against him.

Prosecution's Next Steps: Prosecutors will inform the judge by December 2 on how they plan to proceed.

Immunity Ruling: The US Supreme Court granted former presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official actions taken during their term.