On April 25, while President Trump hosted his first White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a lone gunman attempted to breach security at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., with the apparent intention of killing the president and other high-ranking officials. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was intercepted by Secret Service agents before he could carry out the attack, preventing any injuries or loss of life.
This incident was not the first attempt on Trump’s life. Many media outlets have described it as the third major assassination attempt, but that number may understate the broader range of threats Trump has faced. When including other forms of attempted harm, such as mailed substances or indirect plots, the total number of threats rises significantly. While not all of these incidents reached the same level of immediacy or credibility, they still reflect a persistent pattern of danger surrounding the presidency.
Among these cases, one seems particularly noteworthy considering ongoing tensions with Iran. Surprisingly, the attempt did not make major news at the time, but in light of this most recent attempt, it is worth reexamining.
According to an official Department of Justice press release on March 6, 2026, Asif Merchant was convicted by a jury for murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. Merchant was an operative for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The investigation into Merchant uncovered a carefully organized plan connected to the IRGC to carry out criminal activities within the United States. Testimony during the trial showed that Merchant began working with the IRGC in late 2022 or early 2023 while he was in Pakistan. During that time, he received training in operational techniques, including how to avoid surveillance. Even though he was aware that the IRGC was classified as a terrorist organization, Merchant continued to work with them and traveled to Iran several times to meet with his handler.
In 2023, Merchant was sent to the U.S. with the goal of identifying and recruiting individuals who could assist the IRGC and remain in the country. By the following year, his assignment became more serious. Merchant was directed to find people, referred to as “Mafia” members, who could carry out several illegal tasks. These included stealing sensitive materials, organizing protests, and arranging the assassination of President Trump.
To begin carrying out this mission, Merchant reached out to a contact in New York, Nadeem Ali, believing he could help connect him with the right individuals. Instead, Ali alerted law enforcement and began cooperating as a confidential source. In early June 2024, Merchant met with him and described his plan in detail. He used gestures and indirect language to indicate that the operation involved killing a target and explained the different parts of the scheme. Merchant also asked for help arranging meetings with people who could carry out these tasks and discussed how an assassination might be executed despite heavy security around the target.
Merchant stated that he planned to leave the U.S. before the attack took place and would communicate instructions from abroad using coded language. He also indicated that his plan had been approved by his IRGC handler. Later that month, Merchant met with individuals he believed were hired criminals but were actually undercover law enforcement officers. During these meetings, he repeated his requests for assistance with theft, protests, and the killing of a political figure.
As part of his preparation, Merchant searched online for information about political events and security measures, which he reported back to his handler. He also arranged to receive $5,000 from an overseas source to pay as an initial installment for the planned assassination. On June 21, 2024, he met with the undercover officers and handed over the money, confirming his intent to proceed with the plan.
Despite the seriousness of the threat, the plot was ultimately foiled before any violence could take place. On July 12, 2024, law enforcement agents arrested Merchant as he prepared to leave the country. His conviction on charges of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism underscores the strength of the evidence gathered against him. Officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel and then-Attorney General Pamela Bondi, emphasized that the case demonstrates the United States’ ability to detect and prevent threats against its leaders. Their statements also highlight the broader context of ongoing tensions with Iran and the continued risk of foreign-sponsored terrorism on American soil.
Assassination attempts against presidents are not new. There was an attempt on Andrew Jackson’s life in 1835. There were several foiled attempts on Barack Obama’s life during his tenure in office. There does seem to be an uptick in attempts under President Trump. It is not surprising, with the controversy he creates, but also with the rhetoric of violence that has come from the other side of the political divide. Referring to Trump as Hitler enough is bound to give those looking for an excuse for violence justification for their actions.
Yet this particular example is from the outside and should serve as a reminder of both the persistent dangers facing national leaders and the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions from both domestic and international threats.
James Finck is a professor of American history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He can be reached at james.finck@swoknews.com. Thanks to the Southwest Ledger and the Lawton Constitution for sharing his column.
