New York, February 27, 2026: A 47-year-old Pakistani national has gone on trial in the United States over allegations that he attempted to orchestrate political assassinations on American soil, including potentially targeting former US President Donald Trump, according to federal prosecutors.
The accused, Asif Merchant, is being tried in a federal court in Brooklyn and faces life imprisonment if convicted on terrorism-related charges.
Alleged Plot and Undercover Operation
US prosecutors allege that Merchant traveled to New York in April 2024 and met individuals he believed he was recruiting to carry out targeted political killings ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
According to court filings cited by American media, one of the individuals Merchant initially contacted alerted US authorities and later became a confidential informant. Prosecutors further claim Merchant paid a $5,000 advance to two men he believed were hired assassins — who were, in fact, undercover FBI agents.
Although the alleged plot did not explicitly name a target at the time, court documents suggest potential high-profile officials, including Trump, were discussed.
Prosecution’s Claims
Federal prosecutors told jurors that Merchant outlined his alleged plan symbolically by arranging objects on a hotel napkin to represent people, buildings and crowds at a potential attack site.
The alleged operation was said to be planned during the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election — a politically sensitive period marked by heightened security concerns.
US authorities have previously relied on sting operations to foil suspected terror plots. However, critics of such tactics argue they sometimes border on entrapment, particularly when suspects lack operational capability without government involvement.
Defense Argument
Merchant has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
Defense lawyers described him as a deeply religious man who frequently traveled between Iran and Pakistan, where he has separate families — a practice legal in both countries. They argued in court that prosecutors lack sufficient evidence to prove he was part of a concrete assassination conspiracy.
Broader Implications
The case comes amid heightened US scrutiny of alleged foreign-linked threats, particularly involving Iran. If convicted, Merchant could face life imprisonment under federal terrorism statutes.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
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