Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump testifies Iran pressured him, says Biden and Haley were other possible targets
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Pakistani businessman Asif Merchant is on trial in New York for attempting to hire hit men to assassinate U.S. politicians, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Nikki Haley, on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
- Merchant claims he acted under duress due to threats against his family in Iran and expected to be arrested before any attack occurred, hoping to cooperate with U.S. authorities for a green card.
- The alleged assassination plot was foiled by the FBI, with the supposed hit men actually being undercover agents; Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024, a day before an unrelated attempt on Trump's life.
- Merchant testified that he was introduced to a Revolutionary Guard operative in late 2022, who trained him in
