On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of an Afghan man, Nasser Ahmad Touhidi, in Oklahoma for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on Election Day. Touhidi, 27, reportedly planned the attack under the banner of the terrorist group ISIS.
Background on Touhidi’s Entry to the U.S.
Touhidi entered the United States in 2021 through a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which allows up to 50 individuals annually to immigrate if they worked as translators for U.S. forces or under the authority of a mission leader in Iraq or Afghanistan. It remains unclear if Touhidi had worked as a translator during his time in Afghanistan.
Details of the Terror Plot
According to the indictment, Touhidi researched methods to gain access to surveillance cameras in Washington D.C. and explored states that do not require a license for obtaining firearms. Additionally, he viewed live webcam feeds of the White House and the Washington Monument.
On Monday, authorities arrested Touhidi and a minor accomplice after they attempted to purchase two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from undercover FBI agents. During interrogation, Touhidi revealed that the attack was planned to target large gatherings of people.
U.S. Justice Department Response
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates to U.S. national security. In a statement, he asserted, “We will continue to combat the persistent threat posed by ISIS and its supporters, and we will identify and prosecute individuals seeking to terrorize the American public.”
Heightened Threat Environment
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning regarding the heightened domestic threat environment, citing factors such as the 2024 election cycle and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In their October 2nd report, the department highlighted that lone actors and small groups pose the greatest threat, while foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda remain intent on inspiring or executing attacks within the U.S.
