An ISIS affiliate plotted to kill former president George W. Bush, according to the FBI.
Shihab Ahmed Shihab legally entered the United States in September 2020 and put his plan into action. The Iraqi citizen even visited Dallas on February 8th, where Bush lives to surveillance the man’s home. Shihab was dedicated to killing Bush because he felt that he was responsible for the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Shihab also had plans to provide support to the Islamic State terrorist group and bring people into the U.S. to help kill Bush.
The FBI initially began investigating Shihab for visa fraud after he tried to marry a woman to obtain permanent U.S. citizenship. However, the case quickly took a turn when he made claims to a confidential FBI source about his plan. He also claimed to have ties to now-deceased ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
In June, Shihab told an FBI informant that he would pay at least $5,000 to smuggle four former Baath party members into the U.S. He planned to buy guns and a large van to perform the assassination, but he also wanted to be included in the killing.
George W. Bush has not commented publicly on the foiled plot. Still, his spokesperson says the former president “has all the confidence” in the United States Secret Service and law enforcement.
The FBI worked closely with Customs and Border Protection, monitoring Shihab’s phone and activities. They also worked closely with multiple confidential sources engaged with the suspect.
Shihab has been charged with aiding and abetting the attempted murder of a former federal official in retaliation for the performance of official duties and attempting to bring a foreigner to the U.S. for financial gain.
