Asif Merchant is a Pakistan-born man who works for Iranian intelligence. In the Spring of 2024, on behalf of Iran, he traveled to the U.S. to hire individuals to participate in a three-act plot: 1) steal documents from a targeted person, 2) orchestrate a protest, and 3) assassinate U.S. politicians and government officials. In recorded conversations that included Merchant the names of three 2024 Presidential Candidates were brought up as potential targets: South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, President Joseph R. Biden, and President Donald J. Trump.

U.S. intel and the FBI were on to Merchant very early in the game, tracking his movements from Pakistan to Iran, then back to Pakistan before flying to Istanbul, Turkey, and finally to Houston, Texas. The FBI was able to get a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant for Merchant, they intercepted him in Houston when he arrived on April 13, 2024, and conducted an interview but let him go. This has been the subject of some scrutiny and criticism. (Grrr, how could they be so stupid?!?! /s). But the thing is…

They knew where he was going and who he was going to meet.

Asif Merchant had flown to America and walked right into an FBI sting operation.