04:44Mandatory credit: The White House
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed there is 'no evidence' that the foiled political assassinations of the former US President Donald Trump and other government officials, reportedly planned by the Pakistani national Asif Merchant, has a connection with the failed assassination attempt in Butler. This was said during a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"I will refer you to the DOJ (Department of Justice) as it is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. I will add this, that based on the DOJ's ongoing investigation, there has been no evidence to suggest that the individual named in today's indictment has any connection to the assassination attempt against former President Trump that happened in Butler, Penselveniya," she sated.
Jean-Pierre claimed that arrested Asif Merchant has alleged ties with Tehran, indicating that the US tracks 'Iranian threats against former politicians'.
"We have been very clear about that. These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qasem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority. The highest priority," she added.
Arrested on July 12, 46-year-old Merchant is reportedly accused of working with a hit man to carry out the assassinations in late August or early September.
Further, Jean-Pierre addressed Vice President Kamala Harris picking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate highlighting that President Biden 'first' heard the news from Harris.
"The President did receive the call from the Vice President ahead of the confirmation of the news being out there," the press secretary said. "If you are asking me, the Vice President sought the President's advice, she did. And we have said this before, and I have said this many times, they are a strong team together. She is a critical partner to the President. She has been for the past three and a half years."
She noted that Biden has been acquainted with Walz 'for decades now' and appreciates his ability to 'get big things done for the American people'.
Moving to the international agenda, Jean-Pierre declared that Washington 'condemns' the rocket attack on its Al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which left seven US personnel injured.
"Our hearts go out to the service members who we injured, and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. We will respond to any attack against our personnel in the manner and place of our choosing," she stated.
According to the media, the US Defence Department blamed the attack on Iran-aligned militia groups for the attack, describing it as a 'dangerous escalation' and showing 'Iran’s destabilising role in the region'.
However, referring to Hezbollah's recent drone attacks on Israel, the press secretary highlighted that the US government 'do not believe' the response to the Hamas leaders' assassination last week 'has started yet'.
"We remain concerned by the increase in violence, including the firing of drones by Hezbollah into Israel, and we are going to continue to have those conversations to continue to try to de-escalate the situation that we are in," Jean-Pierre said.
Government spokesperson stressed that Washington 'monitors the situation' and is focused on 'de-escalation conversations', including State Secretary Blinken's meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan on regional tensions de-escalation.
'No evidence' - White House spox denies connection between Trump's foiled assassination plot and incident in Butler
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed there is 'no evidence' that the foiled political assassinations of the former US President Donald Trump and other government officials, reportedly planned by the Pakistani national Asif Merchant, has a connection with the failed assassination attempt in Butler. This was said during a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"I will refer you to the DOJ (Department of Justice) as it is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. I will add this, that based on the DOJ's ongoing investigation, there has been no evidence to suggest that the individual named in today's indictment has any connection to the assassination attempt against former President Trump that happened in Butler, Penselveniya," she sated.
Jean-Pierre claimed that arrested Asif Merchant has alleged ties with Tehran, indicating that the US tracks 'Iranian threats against former politicians'.
"We have been very clear about that. These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qasem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority. The highest priority," she added.
Arrested on July 12, 46-year-old Merchant is reportedly accused of working with a hit man to carry out the assassinations in late August or early September.
Further, Jean-Pierre addressed Vice President Kamala Harris picking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate highlighting that President Biden 'first' heard the news from Harris.
"The President did receive the call from the Vice President ahead of the confirmation of the news being out there," the press secretary said. "If you are asking me, the Vice President sought the President's advice, she did. And we have said this before, and I have said this many times, they are a strong team together. She is a critical partner to the President. She has been for the past three and a half years."
She noted that Biden has been acquainted with Walz 'for decades now' and appreciates his ability to 'get big things done for the American people'.
Moving to the international agenda, Jean-Pierre declared that Washington 'condemns' the rocket attack on its Al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which left seven US personnel injured.
"Our hearts go out to the service members who we injured, and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. We will respond to any attack against our personnel in the manner and place of our choosing," she stated.
According to the media, the US Defence Department blamed the attack on Iran-aligned militia groups for the attack, describing it as a 'dangerous escalation' and showing 'Iran’s destabilising role in the region'.
However, referring to Hezbollah's recent drone attacks on Israel, the press secretary highlighted that the US government 'do not believe' the response to the Hamas leaders' assassination last week 'has started yet'.
"We remain concerned by the increase in violence, including the firing of drones by Hezbollah into Israel, and we are going to continue to have those conversations to continue to try to de-escalate the situation that we are in," Jean-Pierre said.
Government spokesperson stressed that Washington 'monitors the situation' and is focused on 'de-escalation conversations', including State Secretary Blinken's meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan on regional tensions de-escalation.
Mandatory credit: The White House
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed there is 'no evidence' that the foiled political assassinations of the former US President Donald Trump and other government officials, reportedly planned by the Pakistani national Asif Merchant, has a connection with the failed assassination attempt in Butler. This was said during a press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"I will refer you to the DOJ (Department of Justice) as it is an ongoing law enforcement investigation. I will add this, that based on the DOJ's ongoing investigation, there has been no evidence to suggest that the individual named in today's indictment has any connection to the assassination attempt against former President Trump that happened in Butler, Penselveniya," she sated.
Jean-Pierre claimed that arrested Asif Merchant has alleged ties with Tehran, indicating that the US tracks 'Iranian threats against former politicians'.
"We have been very clear about that. These threats arise from Iran's desire to seek revenge for the killing of Qasem Soleimani. We consider this a national and homeland security matter of the highest priority. The highest priority," she added.
Arrested on July 12, 46-year-old Merchant is reportedly accused of working with a hit man to carry out the assassinations in late August or early September.
Further, Jean-Pierre addressed Vice President Kamala Harris picking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate highlighting that President Biden 'first' heard the news from Harris.
"The President did receive the call from the Vice President ahead of the confirmation of the news being out there," the press secretary said. "If you are asking me, the Vice President sought the President's advice, she did. And we have said this before, and I have said this many times, they are a strong team together. She is a critical partner to the President. She has been for the past three and a half years."
She noted that Biden has been acquainted with Walz 'for decades now' and appreciates his ability to 'get big things done for the American people'.
Moving to the international agenda, Jean-Pierre declared that Washington 'condemns' the rocket attack on its Al-Asad airbase in Iraq, which left seven US personnel injured.
"Our hearts go out to the service members who we injured, and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. We will respond to any attack against our personnel in the manner and place of our choosing," she stated.
According to the media, the US Defence Department blamed the attack on Iran-aligned militia groups for the attack, describing it as a 'dangerous escalation' and showing 'Iran’s destabilising role in the region'.
However, referring to Hezbollah's recent drone attacks on Israel, the press secretary highlighted that the US government 'do not believe' the response to the Hamas leaders' assassination last week 'has started yet'.
"We remain concerned by the increase in violence, including the firing of drones by Hezbollah into Israel, and we are going to continue to have those conversations to continue to try to de-escalate the situation that we are in," Jean-Pierre said.
Government spokesperson stressed that Washington 'monitors the situation' and is focused on 'de-escalation conversations', including State Secretary Blinken's meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan on regional tensions de-escalation.