Suspect pleads not guilty in alleged murder-for-hire plot against Donald Trump - ABC News
By: ABC News
Iran huh..............interesting
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Asif Merchant was ordered detained pending trial.
ByAaron KaterskySeptember 16, 2024, 3:49 PM
A Pakistani national with ties to Iran pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges alleging he attempted to commit an act of terrorism and murder-for-hire as part of a scheme to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
The suspect, Asif Merchant, was ordered detained pending trial during the hearing in Brooklyn federal court.
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Sept. 13, 2024.Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
Coincidentally, Merchant's arraignment came the same day a different man -- 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh -- appeared in a Florida court to answer firearm charges connected to an unrelated apparent alleged attempt on Trump's life.
Merchant was indicted on federal charges in August, after being previously arrested and charged by complaint the month prior. If convicted of the charges contained in the indictment, he faces up to life in prison
ABC News has reached out to his attorney for comment.
MORE: Pakistani national charged with alleged plot to assassinate Donald Trump, other public officials: DOJ
"The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran's efforts to target our country's public officials and endanger our national security," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement following the indictment. "As these terrorism and murder for hire charges against Asif Merchant demonstrate, we will continue to hold accountable those who would seek to carry out Iran's lethal plotting against Americans."
Asif Merchant.U.S. Justice Department
After spending time in Iran, Merchant arrived in the United States from Pakistan in April and contacted a person he believed could assist him with the scheme to kill Trump, the complaint alleged. That person reported Merchant's conduct to law enforcement and became a confidential source, according to the indictment.
Merchant sought to hire hitmen who could carry out the assassination of Trump and others, the indictment alleged. Merchant allegedly explained his plot involved multiple criminal schemes: stealing documents or USB drives from a target's home; planning a protest; and killing a politician or government official, the indictment alleged.
MORE: Trump suspect Ryan Wesley Routh was lying in wait for nearly 12 hours: Complaint
Merchant met with the purported hitmen -- who were in fact undercover U.S. law enforcement officers -- in New York, according to the indictment. He allegedly told them they would receive instructions on who to kill either the last week of August or the first week of September, after Merchant had departed the U.S., according to the indictment.
After Merchant paid the $5,000 to the "hitmen," the indictment quoted one of them saying, "Now we're bonded," to which Merchant allegedly responded, "Yes." The undercover officer then stated, "Now we know we're going forward. We're doing this," to which Merchant allegedly responded, "Yes, absolutely," according to the indictment.
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What are they afraid of?
Let's see. A Russia hoax concocted by the Hillary Clinton campaign, two unjustified investigations, two faux impeachments, a partisan Jan 6th Committee, lawfare and two failed assassination attempts.
They may have lucked out with holding a very early debate which gave them just enough time to switch candidates. Maybe Bill Maher is right when he said he thinks Trump's chances of becoming President are nearing an end. America dies with it.
“America dies with it.”
No,
America survives, as it always has in the face of an existential threat.
Vote, vote, vote…as that is our only recourse in maintaining our rights, our freedoms, and ultimately, our system of governance.
Is that what the 2024 election about?
“Is that what the 2024 election about?
Is it not?
Do we elect a fractured candidate that cannot accept the truth, is subject to as yet unresolved judicial processes, and has promised retribution against any, any person, institution, or even constitutional tenet in his sociopathic nature of self preservation?
That is indeed what this election is about.
I'd say it is a matter of electing a President who will;
1) Restore the US economy and energy self-dependence
2) Restore a secure border
3) Restore safety to American cities
4) Restore American justice and ending lawfare
5) Depoliticizing federal agencies.
6) Ending the wars that have sprung up all over the world and restoring peace through strength.
Biden Administration Oil, Gas Drilling Approvals Outpace Trump’s
Border has never been secure and it never will be.
Tell this to Springfield Ohio,. Bomb threats, school closures, and threats against LEGAL immigrants. Thanks to Trump and Vance.
More than 30 bomb threats made in Springfield, Ohio, after false pets claims
2 more Springfield elementary schools evacuated due to threats
Trump has threatened dozens of times to use the government to target political enemies
Trump is increasingly vowing to prosecute political foes and others he says are 'corrupt' if he wins
See #4 above.
How? Other than allowing Putin to run rampant?
Trump says he would encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO country that doesn’t pay enough
All spin and no substance.
I provided multiple links to support my comment. You? None.
Mirror, mirror ...
Your only response that has any validity is item # 1. Biden finally did allow the oil companies to increase production. That is true, but it was to tame inflation. He doesn't tout that. His constituents want oil kept right in the ground.
Item 2 is not a real response. Biden willingly let millions enter the country. You had no answer for that FACT.
Item 3 relates to Ohio. What does that even mean? The latest report on crime shows:
Violent crime has increased under Harris-Biden admin — after ABC’s David Muir disputed Trump’s claim that crime is ‘through the roof’: DOJ report (msn.com)
Item 4 relates to what Trump said. This refers to what Biden's DOJ did:
Lawfare: Both an Existential Threat to the International Rule of Law and an Indispensable Tool of American Foreign Policy in the Twenty-First Century – Penn State Law Review
Item 5 was more of the same. No facts.
Item 6 was you asking a question. The answer lies with what Trump did: Kept Iran broke and Putin worries. NO WARS!
I deliver
Even when it is OVBIOUS stuff.
The word you are looking for is obtuse. Get over yourself.
List the immigrations policies, other than kidnapping children, that Biden changed when he took over.
Has Trump and Vance made the American city of Springfield Ohio safer?
1st of all you are claiming that Trump is a liar since he has made the statement about using the DOJ against his political enemies multiple times.
2nd you have no evidence that Biden is using the DOJ against Trump, especially since most of the charges have undergone grand jury processes. AND Trump was found unanimously guilty of 34 felonies when there was even a MAGA supporter in the jury.
More facts than you provided claiming "lawfare" against Trump.
Trump broke the treaty with Iran allowing them to develop nuclear weapons. Trump was too busy trying to undermine NATO at Putin's orders. Putin is afraid of NATO and was waiting for it to be disbanded or seriously stricken before making any move.