Pakistani national pleads not guilty to allegedly plotting to assassinate Trump, other politicians

A Pakistani national connected to Iran pleaded not guilty on Monday to allegedly participating in an Iranian plot to assassinate former President Trump and other U.S. politicians.

The plot was apparently hatched in retaliation to the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, which occurred under the Trump administration in January 2020.

Asif Merchant, 46, was ordered detained pending trial for the charges he faces at a hearing in federal court on Monday.

Prosecutors have said he allegedly tried to hire a hitman to carry out the plot.

“This dangerous murder-for-hire plot was allegedly orchestrated by a Pakistani national with close ties to Iran and is straight out of the Iranian regime's playbook,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray in a statement about the charges against Merchant. “A foreign-directed plot to kill a public official, or any U.S. citizen, is a serious threat to our national security and will be met with the full might and resources of the FBI. Protecting Americans from terrorists remains our highest priority.”

His next hearing is scheduled for November 6.