Key senator demands feds explain why they let would-be Trump assassin into U.S. despite red flags

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is demanding the Department of Homeland Security explain why Pakistani native Asif Raza Merchant, who is accused of plotting with Iran to assassinate Donald Trump, was let into the United States in April with red flags. 

Just the News reported earlier this week that Merchant was allowed to enter the U.S. in April with special permission known as “significant public benefit parole” even though he was flagged on a terrorism watchlist and had recently traveled to Iran, according to government documents.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force interviewed Merchant, fingerprinted him and inspected the contents of his electronic devices when he arrived at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, but then let him leave with the special parole that expired on May 11, the memos state.

"According to reports, Asif Raza Merchant, a Pakistani native who recently visited Iran, was arrested after it was discovered he planned to assassinate President Trump, as well as other high-ranking government officials," Grassley's letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reads. 

You can read the letter here: 

Grassley's letter alleges that Merchant was labeled as a “Lookout Qualified Person of Interest" and was still granted Significant Public Benefit Parole by the DHS.”

and as soon as he was let into the country, Merchant “began recruiting individuals to carry out his assassination plot.”

"On what basis was Merchant granted Significant Public Benefit Parole?" Grassley asked. "Explain in detail and provide all records."

DHS was given until Aug. 23 to respond to Grassley's requests.