Earlier this week, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) shockingly revealed that Iran had been involved in plots to assassinate former President Donald Trump, potentially adding to the foiled operation planned by Pakistani national Asif Merchant. The Florida Congressman recently announced he would give a classified briefing on his findings to the House Intelligence Committee under Representative Ami Bera (D-CA).
"The Iranian assassination threat is probably the most resourced effort against President Trump. Why does Iran want to take out Trump? Because they know that under a potential President Kamala Harris, they will be able to run roughshod over the world," Rep. Gaetz posted to X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday night.
The Iranian assassination threat is probably the most resourced effort against President Trump.
Why does Iran want to take out Trump? Because they know that under a potential President Kamala Harris, they will be able to run roughshod over the world. pic.twitter.com/X79N4FZhV4
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 25, 2024
However, Rep. Bera expressed skepticism about the claim in a quote to RawStory, calling its spread "dangerous," but offered Rep. Gaetz to present his findings in a classified briefing, which the Florida Congressman accepted.
"I accept your invitation to brief you and the Committee on information I received about the threat teams targeting former President Trump. I would also be pleased to bring with me my General Counsel, who was also present at the briefings I had. Please let me know when and where I should arrive," Gaetz recently announced in a press release.
The Trump campaign had also been the victim of an Iranian cyberattack in June and July that gave information to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in the form of unsolicited emails.
"Iranian malicious cyber actors have continued their efforts since June to send stolen, non-public material associated with former President Trump's campaign to U.S. media organizations," read a joint statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Asif Merchant, an illegal alien from Pakistan who arrived in the United States from Venezuela, was arrested the day before Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13th, was arrested the day before the shooting for plotting an attempt on the former president's life, going so far as to place "down payments" on hitmen and hiring protesters to distract the crowds.
