Three men are facing trial for allegedly plotting Iran’s sinister bid to assassinate President Donald Trump and dissident Masih Alinejad on American soi, as the Washington Free Beacon reports. The scheme, tied to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reeks of rogue-state audacity. Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman set the trial for March 9, 2026, in New York City.
Carlisle Rivera, Jonathan Loadholt, and Farhad Shakeri stand accused in a chilling conspiracy to murder Trump and Alinejad. Rivera and Loadholt, shackled, faced a pre-trial hearing Tuesday, while Shakeri, an Afghan national, hides in Tehran. The hearing slogged through delays, bogged down by a mountain of evidence.
Shakeri, deported in 2008 after a robbery conviction, allegedly acted as an IRGC “asset.” Iran’s regime reportedly funneled hefty sums to kill Trump, with no hesitation to keep spending. This isn’t just a plot -- it’s a state-sponsored vendetta.
In September 2024, an IRGC official allegedly ordered Shakeri to surveil and assassinate Trump. “Focus on… assassinating… Trump,” the criminal complaint quotes, exposing Iran’s brazen priorities. The regime’s obsession with silencing critics is as clear as day.
Shakeri didn’t stop at Trump; he also targeted Alinejad, a vocal Iranian dissident. He allegedly recruited Rivera and Loadholt for the Alinejad plot, pulling them into Iran’s web. This multi-target hit list screams desperation from Tehran’s mullahs.
The government’s evidence haul is massive, including Google, Apple, and WhatsApp accounts, plus recorded calls. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gutwillig called it “significant discovery production.” No wonder the hearing hit snags -- a truth this ugly takes time to unpack.
Iran’s hit list allegedly extends beyond Trump and Alinejad. Former officials like Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, and Brian Hook have also been targeted. Tehran’s vendetta against American leaders is a grim pattern, not a one-off.
Shakeri’s role as an IRGC pawn highlights Iran’s long game. Deported after a 14-year sentence, he still found ways to serve Tehran’s interests. The regime’s grip on its operatives, even abroad, is disturbingly tight.
National Review reported that Iran “gave a green light” to attempt Trump’s assassination. The regime even hacked Trump campaign emails, showing cyber-warfare in their arsenal. This isn’t just physical—it’s a full-spectrum assault.
In July 2024, Asif Merchant, linked to Tehran, was nabbed for plotting to kill U.S. officials. He allegedly paid $5,000 to an undercover officer posing as a hitman. Iran’s willingness to bankroll murder is as bold as it is reckless.
The U.S. launched Merchant’s investigation after learning of Iran’s intent to kill Trump. This web of plots shows Tehran’s fixation on American targets. The regime’s priorities couldn’t be more transparent -- or more deranged.
Gutwillig predicts the trial will span two weeks, with more hearings set for Aug. 18 and Sept. 18. The government may invoke the Classified Information Procedures Act, hinting at sensitive evidence. This case is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman declared, “Targeting… American officials… will never be tolerated.” Strong words, but they'd better back it up with action. Iran’s aggression demands a response, not just rhetoric.
The evidence -- cell records, accounts, calls -- paints a damning picture. Tehran’s fingerprints are all over this, and the trial will lay it bare. Progressive apologists for Iran might squirm, but facts don’t bend to ideology.
Iran’s plots aren’t just attacks on individuals; they’re assaults on American sovereignty. The trial will test whether justice can outmaneuver a regime hell-bent on chaos. March 2026 can’t come soon enough.
