Afghan suspect linked to Election Day terror plot once worked with CIA
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national accused of planning a terror attack targeting the upcoming U.S. presidential election, once worked as a security guard for the CIA, according to reports from multiple U.S. media outlets.
Tawhedi, who was arrested in Oklahoma City, allegedly intended to carry out a mass shooting on Election Day, November 5. Court documents indicate the plot was inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS) and involved other suspects, including Tawhedi’s juvenile brother-in-law. The group reportedly planned to target large gatherings during the highly anticipated election in which Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are contenders for the White House.
Former CIA contractor under investigation
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi arrived in the United States in September 2021 as part of a resettlement effort following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power. His past work with the CIA remains under scrutiny, with officials unclear whether Tawhedi’s radicalization occurred before or after his relocation to the U.S.
Authorities apprehended the 27-year-old on October 7, following an investigation into the suspected plot. Tawhedi and his accomplices had reportedly sold their homes and belongings and acquired firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, in preparation for the attack. The court documents, unsealed on October 8, suggest that the suspects sought to achieve “martyrdom.”
Planned Election Day attack
Court records reveal that Tawhedi had been extensively researching potential targets, including reviewing surveillance footage of key landmarks in Washington, D.C., such as the White House and Washington Monument. He also searched for U.S. states with relaxed gun laws, aiming to exploit vulnerabilities. Investigators further discovered that Tawhedi had accessed ISIS propaganda and sent funds to a charity associated with the terror group.
The plot, which included plans for an Election Day shooting, was intended to cause maximum disruption as voters across the nation head to the polls. The conspirators had been motivated by extremist ideology, with Tawhedi and his brother-in-law expressing their desire to become martyrs.
Tawhedi’s legal status and upcoming hearing
Tawhedi entered the U.S. through the humanitarian parole program, designed for individuals fleeing conflict, and later applied for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). The SIV is typically granted to those who provided significant assistance to U.S. forces during operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Tawhedi is scheduled for a court hearing on October 17, where further details about the alleged plot will be presented.
White House responds to terror plot
In response to questions about Tawhedi and the broader security concerns of Afghan refugees, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Afghan nationals resettled in the U.S. underwent rigorous screening and vetting by intelligence and counterterrorism professionals.
“With every new piece of information about a potential threat to public safety, immediate action is taken,” Jean-Pierre stated. However, she declined to provide specific details about Tawhedi’s case.
The arrest highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing national security with humanitarian efforts, especially in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.