Texas Teen Arrested for Alleged ISIS-Inspired Plot to Assassinate Congressman

Federal authorities arrested a 17-year-old boy in McKinney, Texas, on Oct. 5 for allegedly plotting to assassinate U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), inspired by ISIS propaganda. According to reports, the teen, who had recently become radicalized online, had obtained a firearm despite his age and planned to carry out the attack at a public cook-off.

Rep. Self, a vocal critic of Sharia Law and co-founder of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, stated he was informed of the threat by federal agents after the arrest. "Preserving our constitutional republic from radical Islam means accepting the costs that come with it—name-calling, threats, and worse," Self said in a statement on X. "Our Founders believed this country was worth the sacrifice. I served 25 years in the military because defending freedom was worth the sacrifice. This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down."

Self, who is seeking re-election, told CBS News Texas that the FBI's swift action was reassuring, contrasting it with instances where authorities are aware of threats but do not intervene. He described the threat as more serious than previous ones he has received. "So often we hear that somebody does something and then you find out later that the FBI had him on some sort of watch list and didn’t take action," Self said. "So I am very grateful that the FBI took action in this case."

The congressman has been a prominent critic of Sharia Law, which he has described as "dangerous" and incompatible with the U.S. Constitution. He previously stated that while Western civilization has evolved, Islam has not, comparing it to the 8th century and warning of a return to the "Dark Ages" if its tenets were imposed.

The unidentified teenager remains in federal custody. Rep. Self is currently in a congressional race against Democrat Evan Hunt.