Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, has released explosive FBI records revealing an Iranian-backed plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other prominent American political figures. The alleged plot, which came to light following the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020, targeted several high-profile individuals, including President Joe Biden and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
The records, obtained through legally protected whistleblower disclosures, detail a potential assassination scheme that involved Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national with ties to Iran. Merchant, who was charged for his role in the plot, reportedly believed he was involved in a “kill-for-hire” scheme that would offer him a $50,000 cut for successfully assassinating his target. According to FBI records, Merchant provided detailed information about his planned attack, including options for shooting former President Trump at both indoor and outdoor speaking engagements. He expressed confidence in his ability to hit a target both up close and from a distance, suggesting the use of a pistol for indoor attacks and a rifle for outdoor operations. Merchant estimated his chances of success at approximately 50%.
Senator Grassley has condemned the assassination attempt, stating that “bad actors are determined to wreak havoc on our country, and American political leaders across both parties are sitting squarely in the crosshairs.” He has demanded answers from the Secret Service and other federal agencies, calling for increased transparency and accountability in protecting American officials.
Grassley’s office has been actively pursuing this case, releasing bodycam footage from local police in Pennsylvania who were involved in the assassination attempt. He has criticized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI for failing to provide full transparency regarding the plot, prompting him to publicly disclose the unclassified proffer agreement with Merchant.
The FBI has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. This revelation has sparked concern among congressional Republicans who argue that the assassination attempt on former President Trump in July was orchestrated by foreign actors from Iran or Pakistan. As investigations into this serious matter continue, the potential threat to American leaders and the need for enhanced security measures remain a pressing concern.
