The FBI has thwarted a major terrorist attack planned for the upcoming 2024 U.S. Election Day. Authorities arrested 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national living in Oklahoma, who had been plotting an ISIS-inspired attack targeting large crowds during the election. Tawhedi, who entered the U.S. in 2021 under a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, had been advancing his plan for weeks, including acquiring weapons and preparing to send his family back to Afghanistan before the attack.
Tawhedi, motivated by ISIS propaganda, was apprehended on October 7 after securing two AK-47 rifles from undercover FBI agents. He had told investigators that both he and a juvenile accomplice, his brother-in-law, planned to die as martyrs during the Election Day assault.
BREAKING: Election Day ISIS terror plot results in arrest of Afghan national living in Oklahoma CIty!
"The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack…
— Snarkio 🇺🇸 (@Snarkio_) October 8, 2024
This plot comes amid heightened concerns of potential extremist violence tied to the volatile 2024 election season, with FBI Director Christopher Wray noting the increasingly complex threats facing the nation.
Tawhedi’s radicalization was influenced by ISIS propaganda, including content glorifying martyrdom. In recent months, he had taken steps to liquidate his family’s assets and purchase one-way tickets for his wife and child to return to Afghanistan. The FBI became aware of Tawhedi’s activities after he advertised personal items for sale on Facebook. An informant responded to the ad and established a relationship with Tawhedi, ultimately leading to his arrest.
Election Day terror plot foiled by the FBI.
This is why you should vote early. pic.twitter.com/aCqGPf5WRO
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 8, 2024
Court documents reveal that Tawhedi had planned to carry out the attack in Oklahoma, where he resided. However, he had also been monitoring landmarks such as the White House and Washington Monument via online webcams, suggesting that his target list could have been broader. The juvenile accomplice was also arrested but has not been publicly named due to his age.
This case underscores the ongoing threat of terrorism in the U.S., despite the recent shift in focus toward domestic extremism. The FBI remains vigilant, with Director Wray emphasizing that counterterrorism is still the agency’s top priority. The arrest also raises questions about the SIV program, which was expanded after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This program allowed Tawhedi to enter the country legally, as he had reportedly assisted U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.
As Election Day nears, concerns about violence are growing. In a joint intelligence bulletin, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned of potential threats, particularly from both foreign and domestic extremists who may seek to exploit the election for violent purposes. This warning comes amid rising tensions both domestically and internationally, with the Middle East conflict fueling jihadist sentiments, as well as ongoing political polarization in the U.S..
Tawhedi now faces federal charges for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It remains unclear if he has legal representation, as no attorney has come forward on his behalf. The FBI’s quick action has likely prevented a devastating terrorist attack that could have led to significant loss of life.
