by Nicholas Ballasy
The U.S. Justice Department charged Asif Merchant, 46, a Pakistani man with alleged ties to the Iranian government with plotting to carry out political assassinations, according to an indictment revealed on Tuesday.
The arrest on July 12 resulted in enhanced security for former President Donald Trump and certain U.S. government officials who the FBI reportedly determined were the suspect’s targets.
A Justice Department official confirmed the case involving Merchant was the threat that Secret Service was aware of when it became to ramp up Trump’s security in the lead up to the Butler, Pa. rally where he was shot.
Federal prosecutors filed the charges in Brooklyn against Merchant, who reportedly traveled to New York City and collaborated with hitmen on the plot.
Merchant is currently in federal custody after getting arrested while allegedly planning to leave the U.S.Â
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Nicholas Ballasy is a reporter for Just the News.Â
