FBI arrests alleged Islamic State supporter accused of plotting to assassinate Texas congressman

On October 5, the FBI arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney, Texas, who is accused of plotting to assassinate Republican US Representative Keith Self of Texas and carry out a terrorist attack in North Texas on behalf of the Islamic State. Self represents Texas’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes McKinney. “The FBI stopped this radical Islamic terrorist before he could strike,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “Radical Islamic terrorism has no place in Texas. We will combat radical Islam in all forms and eliminate every threat it poses.” Self’s campaign told NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth that investigators believed the teenager was planning a terrorist attack in North Texas on behalf of the Islamic State. He also allegedly intended to target Self at an October 17 chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans involving former Dallas Cowboys players and other prominent guests. Federal law enforcement sources also told the local news affiliate that the suspect was arrested after acquiring a firearm. The sources said the teenager had recently become radicalized and was under federal surveillance. His name has not been publicly released, and he remains in federal custody. Self’s campaign manager said that US Capitol Police notified his team on October 6, the day after the arrest. Self said he increased security but attended the October 17 fundraiser as scheduled, where he judged chili and beans. “I am grateful to the FBI and law enforcement for stopping this threat,” Self said in a post on X. “My family and I are safe, and I remain focused on serving the people of Texas’ 3rd district.” Self has been an outspoken critic of Sharia law. In August, the representative, who is running for reelection and serves as co-chair of the 68-member, all-Republican Sharia-Free America Caucus, signed a petition to recall four of McKinney’s seven City Council members after they unanimously approved a site plan for the McKinney Islamic Association. On September 3, Self introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law and opposing its implementation in the United States. “This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down,” Self said on his Facebook account in response to the arrest. Evan Hunt, Self’s Democratic opponent in this year’s midterm election, responded on X by saying, “There is no place for violence in our politics. No political disagreement ever justifies threatening someone’s life. Every elected official, their family, and their staff deserve to be safe, regardless of party.” The arrest of the unidentified alleged assassin marks the eighth Islamic State-linked case or incident in the United States this year, and the fourth Islamic State-linked arrest in the past two months. Will Selber is a retired US CENTCOM foreign area officer with over 4 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the owner of Grumpy Combat Veteran on Substack.