Pakistani Man on Trial for Alleged Plot to Kill U.S. Politician

Asif Merchant accused of trying to orchestrate assassination of a political figure, possibly Trump, in 2024

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 47-year-old Pakistani man named Asif Merchant is on trial in New York this week, accused of attempting to orchestrate the killing of a U.S. politician, potentially former President Donald Trump, during his 2024 campaign. Prosecutors say Merchant met with and paid $5,000 to undercover FBI agents posing as hit men to carry out the alleged plot.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism threats and the government's use of sting operations to thwart potential attacks. It also raises questions about security measures for political candidates and the challenges of balancing civil liberties with public safety.

The details

According to testimony and evidence presented, Merchant met with an intermediary named Nadeem Ali and discussed a scenario for shooting a political figure at a rally, then staging a protest as a distraction for the killer to escape. Merchant allegedly gave $5,000 to the undercover agents as an initial payment, though he did not provide a specific target name. Prosecutors say searches for Trump rally locations were found on Merchant's laptop.

  • Merchant's alleged plot was hatched in June 2024, weeks before an unrelated attempt to assassinate Trump on the campaign trail in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.

The players

Asif Merchant

A 47-year-old Pakistani man on trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate the assassination of a U.S. politician, potentially former President Donald Trump, during his 2024 campaign.

Nadeem Ali

An intermediary who testified that Merchant approached him about getting involved in a T-shirt business, but Ali found the terms "shady" and noticed cars following him after spending time with Merchant. Ali then contacted the FBI in May 2024 and went on to record his interactions with Merchant.

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What they’re saying

“I was shocked,”

— Nadeem Ali, Intermediary (wral.com)

“He counts on you not to simply accept the narrative the government is trying to shoehorn the evidence into, but also to think about the rest of the story told by that evidence.”

— Christopher Neff, Defense Lawyer (wral.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Asif Merchant out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing domestic terrorism threats, the government's use of sting operations, and the need to balance civil liberties with public safety concerns, especially when it comes to securing political candidates during campaign seasons.