Former President Trump was briefed by intelligence officials about Iran’s alleged assassination threats against him, the Republican presidential nominee’s campaign said on Tuesday.
“President Trump was briefed earlier today by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence [ODNI] regarding real and specific threats from Iran to assassinate him in an effort to destabilize and sow chaos in the United States,” Steven Cheung, the ex-president campaign’s communications director, said in a statement.
Cheung added, “Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months, and law enforcement officials across all agencies are working to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is free from interference.”
In early August, a Pakistani national with alleged ties to the Iranian government was charged with plotting to carry out political assassinations in the U.S.
Asif Merchant was charged with one count of murder for hire. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the foiled plot was a way to pay back for the U.S. 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The former president was the commander-in-chief during Soleimani’s assassination.
The campaign’s statement comes less than a week after The FBI and other intelligence agencies said that Iran tried to share information that it hacked from the ex-president’s campaign and give it to then-President Biden’s campaign.
A federal grand jury indicted Ryan Routh, 58, for an attempted assassination of the former president on Tuesday. He now faces five charges. Routh was previously charged with two federal gun charges. The first assassination attempt on Trump’s life occurred during a July Butler, Pa. rally during which a gunman opened fire, piercing Trump’s ear. The shooter killed one attendee and injured two more.
A Microsoft report released in early August said that Iran using cyberattacks and fake news to disrupt the 2024 White House election.
“Make no mistake, the terror regime in Iran loves the weakness of [Vice President] Kamala Harris, and is terrified of the strength and resolve of President Trump. He will let nothing stop him or get in his way to fight for the American people and to Make America Great Again,” Cheung said.
ODNI spokesperson acknowledged the briefing to The Hill but declined to address any specifics.