The White House has categorically denied any connection between Asif Merchant and the recent allegations of a plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Official statements from the White House refute earlier claims suggesting Merchant’s involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
Despite accusations filed in a US court that implicated Merchant in planning the assassination, the White House maintains that there is no evidence linking Merchant to the plot. A White House spokesperson underscored that Merchant has no association with the purported scheme against Trump.
This denial follows a recent American newspaper article that attempted to link Pakistan to the alleged plot. While the headline suggested a connection, the content of the article ultimately contradicted this implication by stating that Merchant was not involved.
The foreign office sources told Azaad Digital that the headlines, which refer to a Pennsylvania incident, actually pertain to a separate case, likening the situation to a misstep akin to local police failures rather than those of the FBI. Describing the headline as misleading, they took issue with the portrayal of a Pakistani individual with alleged Iranian connections as a “customized villain.”
The sources further said that the individual in question was apprehended in a sting operation in New York, reportedly with $5,000 intended for harm. The sources questioned the seriousness of the threat, describing the individual as “all talk but no action,” with no known terrorist links or connections to Trump-related events.
The sources further underscored the FBI’s focus on other cases, such as the investigation into a Virginia man for threatening Vice President Kamala Harris. They argued that these investigations divert attention from addressing the central issue of the Pennsylvania incident.
Who is Asif Merchant?
Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was arrested last month on allegations of plotting to assassinate U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump.
Court documents unsealed today in Brooklyn federal court reveal that Merchant, 46, was in the U.S. to hire a hitman as part of an Iranian scheme targeting multiple U.S. officials. Although Trump is not explicitly named in the documents, he was identified as one of the potential targets.
Merchant was apprehended on June 12, 2024, just one day before an attempted assassination of the 78-year-old former president.
The documents disclose that Merchant, born in Karachi around 1978, claims to reside in Pakistan. He has mentioned having family in both Pakistan and Iran and has traveled frequently to Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
Merchant arrived in the U.S. in April 2024 to seek assistance for his plot. He initially contacted an undercover informant, who reported the information to authorities. Merchant later met with the informant again in June, providing detailed plans for the assassination.
In mid-June, Merchant met with individuals he believed to be hitmen, who were actually undercover law enforcement agents. He provided a $5,000 advance for the assassination before being arrested.
Attorney General Merrick Garland commented on the case, stating, “For years, the Justice Department has been working aggressively to counter Iran’s brazen and unrelenting efforts to retaliate against American public officials for the killing of Iranian General Soleimani. The Justice Department will spare no resource to disrupt and hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran’s lethal plotting against American citizens and will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to target American public officials and endanger America’s national security.”
This is a developing story.