Trump Assassin Complaining About Conditions in Jail

An alleged Iranian operative charged with plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials has voiced grievances about what he calls “inhumane” living conditions in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC).

Asif Merchant, 46, who has been held in solitary confinement since his July arrest, claims the notoriously strict facility has denied him basic necessities like warm clothing and seasoning for his vegetarian meals. Merchant is housed in the Special Administrative Measures (SAMS) unit, a high-security section reserved for detainees deemed dangerous or linked to sensitive cases.

In a letter to U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee, Merchant’s attorney, Avraham Moskowitz, detailed his client’s struggles. “The conditions of confinement under which Mr. Merchant is being held are inhumane, intolerable, and interfere with his constitutional right to counsel and to prepare a defense,” Moskowitz wrote.

Merchant’s complaints about food are central to his grievances. According to Moskowitz, the jail has refused Merchant’s repeated requests for salt, pepper, or other seasoning to improve his meals. “Most of the food items that other inmates are allowed to buy from the commissary are not available to him,” the lawyer explained, adding that Merchant cannot even purchase spicy chips, which could add flavor to his meals.

“These restrictions make no sense and certainly are not based on any security needs,” Moskowitz argued.

This isn’t the first time conditions at the MDC have made headlines. The facility, which houses high-profile inmates like Sean “Diddy” Combs (accused of sex trafficking) and Luigi Mangione (charged with murder), has faced repeated criticism. In 2019, the jail endured a week-long power outage during the winter, leaving inmates without heat or light—a crisis that sparked public outrage.

Merchant’s complaints extend beyond food. His cell on the eighth floor of the MDC is reportedly so cold that he shivers during attorney-client meetings. Moskowitz described one incident where Merchant, brought to a courthouse to review evidence, had to wear his lawyer’s winter coat throughout their meeting to stay warm.

Merchant’s family has also been barred from sending him warmer clothing through Amazon, Moskowitz said, adding that the jail has refused to allow him to purchase sweatshirts or sweatpants from the commissary.

Merchant’s arrest stems from an alleged murder-for-hire plot to assassinate U.S. political figures, including Trump, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Federal prosecutors claim Merchant paid $5,000 to individuals he believed were contract killers and planned attacks in New York City as early as last August.

Experts say the case underscores the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the Soleimani strike, which Iran’s government has vowed to avenge. “This plot, if proven true, illustrates how deeply the Soleimani killing has resonated within Iran’s networks,” said James Franklin, a Middle East analyst.

Human rights advocates have long criticized SAMS, calling it excessively punitive, particularly for detainees awaiting trial. “These measures often amount to pretrial punishment,” said Elizabeth Randall of the Prisoner Advocacy Network. “Regardless of the charges, individuals are entitled to basic human rights while in custody.”

Moskowitz urged Judge Komitee to intervene, stating that Merchant’s harsh treatment is unwarranted. “Being subject to SAMS does not mean Mr. Merchant should endure bland food in a freezing cell without proper clothing,” he wrote.

The case has drawn mixed reactions. Some see Merchant’s complaints as trivial compared to the gravity of his charges, while others highlight the broader issue of prison conditions. “Everyone deserves humane treatment, no matter their alleged crimes,” said Amanda Hill, a Brooklyn resident interviewed outside the MDC.

Merchant’s next court hearing is scheduled for later this month, where his legal team is expected to press for improved conditions. Meanwhile, the case continues to stir debate over the intersection of national security, human rights, and the U.S. justice system.