The Justice Department recently revealed that an Iranian national, Farhad Shakeri, was involved in a plot to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. This alarming revelation sheds light on the ongoing threats posed by Iran to the United States and its citizens.
According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City, an unnamed official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had instructed Shakeri to surveil and assassinate President Trump. This disturbing plan highlights the dangerous intentions of the Iranian regime towards the United States.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the severity of the threat posed by Iran, stating that the Justice Department has charged an asset of the Iranian regime with directing criminal associates to carry out assassination plots against various targets, including President Trump. This revelation underscores the need for vigilance and action against such hostile actors.
Furthermore, the Justice Department revealed that Shakeri, who is currently at large and believed to be residing in Iran, was previously deported from the United States in 2008 after serving time in prison for a robbery conviction. Despite his criminal history, Shakeri was allegedly tasked with providing a plan to kill President Trump in October 2024.
In addition to Shakeri, two individuals, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathon Loadholt, were arrested in connection with a separate plot to murder a U.S. citizen of Iranian origin in New York. The suspects were allegedly surveilling the target for months and coordinating with Shakeri to carry out the assassination.
The charges brought against Shakeri, Rivera, and Loadholt include murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and money laundering conspiracy, with penalties ranging from 10 to 20 years in prison. Shakeri also faces charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and violating sanctions against the Government of Iran, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
These alarming developments underscore the ongoing threats posed by Iran to U.S. national security and the safety of American citizens. The Justice Department’s actions in thwarting these assassination plots highlight the importance of remaining vigilant against hostile actors and taking decisive measures to protect the country and its leaders.
