An Afghan refugee who entered the United States in 2021 has pleaded guilty to plotting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack targeting Election Day, potentially jeopardizing American lives and our democratic process just as voters selected President Trump.
Key Takeaways
- Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national, faces up to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring with ISIS to carry out an Election Day attack on American soil
- Tawhedi and his accomplice acquired AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition to target crowds during the November 5th election
- The would-be terrorist entered the US in September 2021 on a special immigration visa following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
- The FBI successfully thwarted the plot after monitoring Tawhedi for over a month before his arrest
- His immigration status has been revoked following the discovery of his terrorist intentions
Afghan Refugee Admits to ISIS-Inspired Election Day Terror Plot
An Afghan national who entered the United States following President Biden’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan has admitted to planning a potentially devastating terrorist attack targeting American voters. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, entered his guilty plea in federal court in Oklahoma City, confessing to conspiring with ISIS to carry out a mass-casualty attack deliberately scheduled for Election Day 2024. The timing of the planned attack appears strategically designed to create maximum chaos during a pivotal moment in American democracy, just as citizens were exercising their constitutional right to vote for President Trump.
“An Afghan national pleaded guilty at a federal court in Oklahoma City to two offenses related to terrorism for plotting an attack in the United States on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a June 13 statement,” according to the Department of Justice.
Specifically, Tawhedi admitted to charges of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, as well as receiving firearms and ammunition intended for terrorist activities. Court documents reveal that Tawhedi’s conspiracy spanned from June to October 2024, during which time he acquired two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition with the explicit intention of targeting large crowds of Americans. “The potential for mass casualties was substantial, highlighting the seriousness of the threat that was narrowly averted,” according to the FBI.
Co-Conspirators and Immigration Concerns
Tawhedi did not act alone. His brother-in-law, Abdullah Haji Zada, was a key co-conspirator who has already pleaded guilty to related charges in April and now faces up to 15 years in prison. The involvement of multiple conspirators raises serious questions about the effectiveness of immigration screening procedures, particularly for those entering under special immigration visas. Tawhedi arrived in America in September 2021, immediately following the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan that saw the Taliban rapidly seize control of Kabul.
“The defendant admits he planned and obtained firearms to carry out a violent terror attack on Election Day in 2024, a plot that was detected and disrupted through the good work of the FBI and our partners,” said Kash Patel, FBI Director.
At the time of his arrest, Tawhedi was on parole with pending immigration status – a status that has since been revoked following the discovery of his terrorist intentions. This case represents a chilling example of how the hasty admission of refugees without proper vetting can directly endanger American national security. The Biden administration’s rush to resettle Afghan nationals following the fall of Kabul clearly failed to identify individuals with extremist sympathies, allowing a potential terrorist to establish himself on American soil.
FBI Vigilance Prevents Catastrophe
Fortunately, federal law enforcement agencies demonstrated exceptional vigilance in monitoring and ultimately neutralizing this threat before it could be executed. The FBI had Tawhedi under surveillance for over a month before making the arrest, showcasing the critical importance of robust counterterrorism operations. The successful interdiction prevented what could have been a devastating attack designed to disrupt our electoral process through violence and intimidation – tactics that are central to ISIS’s extremist ideology.
Tawhedi now faces up to 35 years in federal prison for his crimes against the American people. While this represents justice being served, the case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats that face our nation and the need for constant vigilance against those who would seek to harm Americans and undermine our democratic institutions. It also highlights the significant consequences of immigration policies that prioritize speed over security, allowing potential threats to enter the country under humanitarian pretexts.
