New details have emerged about a chilling conspiracy targeting 45th and soon to be 47th US President Donald Trump and Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad.
The FBI has identified Carlisle "Pop" Rivera, a 49-year-old welder from Brooklyn, New York, as one of the individuals allegedly involved in the assassination plot orchestrated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
This revelation has further heightened concerns about national security and Iran's reach into the U.S. Rivera, alongside accomplice Jonathon Loadholt, faces federal charges for conspiracy to assassinate Trump and Alinejad.
According to reports from RadarOnline, Farhad Shakeri, believed to be a middleman for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, recruited Rivera to monitor Alinejad. However, the mission shifted, allegedly expanding to include plans to kill Trump.
The FBI's investigation uncovered damning evidence, including text messages, photos, and voice recordings that detailed surveillance and assassination plans. During a search of Rivera's premises, authorities found assault rifles and other weaponry, which further corroborated the charges.
Alinejad, a vocal critic of Iran, expressed her shock over the discovery. "I know the nature of the Islamic Republic," she said. "They kill anyone who dares to challenge or criticize the Islamic ideology." Her tireless activism for women's rights and democracy in Iran has made her a prime target for the regime's aggression.
Shakeri, who is now believed to be in Tehran, allegedly directed the plot remotely. In recorded phone calls, Shakeri suggested delaying the assassination attempt, believing Trump's potential election loss would make him easier to access without Secret Service protection. His precise movements and escape from the U.S. remain a mystery.
Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the gravity of the situation, calling Iran a "grave threat" to U.S. national security. FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed these concerns, condemning the Revolutionary Guard for exploiting criminal networks to carry out their agenda.