(New York) – Two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, according to the FBI. The suspects, Jonathan Loadholt of Staten Island and Carlisle Rivera of Brooklyn, were reportedly recruited by an Iranian operative, Farhad Shakeri, to carry out surveillance and plan the attack on Trump. The plot was allegedly orchestrated by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in response to escalating tensions with the U.S.
Shakeri, described as a career criminal who previously served 14 years in prison, is accused of using his network to organize the plot. Initially, Shakeri’s team was tasked with targeting Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist critical of Iran’s government, but the mission changed in September to focus on Trump. The FBI’s investigation revealed that Shakeri and his associates used encrypted messages to discuss the journalist’s routine, and Shakeri cautioned his associates to be patient when timing the operation.
The FBI noted that in late September, Iranian officials reportedly instructed Shakeri to redirect the plot to Trump. The assassination plan was allegedly to take place before the November 5 election, with Shakeri reportedly requesting a substantial budget for the mission. The unnamed Iranian official allegedly responded that money was “not an issue.”
Trump later disclosed on social media that he had been informed of a potential Iranian plot on his life. “Big threats on my life by Iran,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that U.S. military forces were monitoring the situation closely.
| Timeline of Key Events | |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | Shakeri allegedly first contacted by Iran to plot assassination |
| February – April 2024 | Shakeri’s team monitors Alinejad’s movements |
| September 25, 2024 | Trump posts on X about Iranian threat |
| October 7, 2024 | Shakeri ordered to devise plan targeting Trump |
| November 7, 2024 | Rivera and Loadholt arrested in New York |
Shakeri’s team had reportedly discussed various options and tactics, with Shakeri advising Rivera and Loadholt to “wait for the right moment.” On October 7, Iranian officials reportedly set a seven day deadline for Shakeri to plan the Trump assassination. Shakeri later claimed to the FBI he had no intention of meeting that timeline.
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the plot as a “grave threat to U.S. national security,” affirming that the Department of Justice would not tolerate Iran’s “attempts to endanger the American people.” The DOJ has charged Shakeri, who remains at large in Iran, with multiple counts, including murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder.
