Pakistani man charged with murder-for-hire plot against U.S. politicians, potentially including Trump

Asif Merchant, 46, faces a single count of murder for hire after, prosecutors say, he paid $5,000 to an undercover FBI agent he believed was a hit man.

A Pakistani man allegedly tied to Iran has been charged with an elaborate plot to assassinate current and former government officials, potentially including former President Donald Trump.

Asif Merchant, 46, faces a single count of murder for hire after prosecutors say he paid $5,000 to an undercover FBI agent he believed was a hit man, with whom he discussed a complex plot directed at a political figure who Merchant said would be surrounded by security.

The complaint does not name an alleged target or targets, but a senior law enforcement official said Trump was one of the potential targets of this plot.