Press Releases

Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (OH-10) issued the following statement after the Department of Justice unsealed its charges against Asif Merchant, who was arrested in the United States and was allegedly contracted by Iran to murder former President Trump or his administration officials in retaliation for the strike that killed Qasem Soleimani. 

“The failure of the Secret Service in Butler, Pennsylvania, is even more outrageous in light of suspected Iranian-backed assassins targeting former Trump Administration officials, including President Trump himself. That day, the threat of sniper attacks was even higher than normal. 

“I was previously briefed concerning the Iranian threat and the circumstances of Mr. Merchant’s arrest and questioned then-Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on whether she had reviewed the intelligence concerning the Iranian threat. She confirmed to me that she read the intelligence and was aware of this Iranian murder-for-hire plot. 

“Director Cheatle acknowledged she knew the threat and still did not provide President Trump the protection he needed, almost costing him his life. 

“President Biden and Vice President Harris must make it clear that any attempt by Iran to murder former President Trump or members of his administration is an act of war.” 

Background:

On July 22, 2024, the House Oversight Committee, of which Congressman Turner is a member, held a hearing to review the security failures of the Secret Service to protect former President Trump at Butler, Pennsylvania.

The full video of Congressman Turner’s questioning of then-Director Cheatle is available here.