Afghan Ex-CIA Worker Arrested For Election Day Terror Plot Puts Vetting Under Scrutiny
An Afghan refugee who previously worked for the CIA has been charged with planning a terrorist attack on Election Day, sparking concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s refugee vetting process. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, entered the US under a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) in 2021 and was living in Oklahoma City when he allegedly began planning an ISIS-inspired attack on American voters.
Tawhedi’s arrest came after an undercover FBI agent sold him AK-47 rifles intended for the attack. Investigators found evidence of his radicalization online, including ISIS propaganda and communications with a juvenile co-conspirator. The FBI also uncovered videos of Tawhedi discussing the rewards of martyrdom with children.
The case highlights failures in the vetting process for Afghan evacuees. More than 70,000 Afghans were brought to the US following the fall of Kabul, but reports indicate that many were not properly screened. A recent DHS report revealed that many evacuees were allowed to leave military bases without completing background checks, and the department struggled to track their parole status.
Critics of the administration argue that the rushed evacuation created serious security risks, with some refugees entering the US without proper vetting. Tawhedi’s case has only intensified concerns about the safety of American communities in light of these failures.
Tawhedi now faces up to 20 years in prison for providing material support to ISIS and attempting to carry out a terrorist attack.