FBI Intercepts Plot to Assassinate Congressman Keith Self During Texas Midterm Push

The race for Texas’ third congressional district took a dramatic turn when federal agents moved to stop a suspected assassination plot against the sitting representative.

A seventeen year old from McKinney was taken into custody by the FBI on October 5. Congressman Keith Self, a Republican seeking his third term, confirmed the details through campaign officials. His team first learned of the detention via the U.S. Capitol Police on October 6. Investigators told the campaign that the teen had been radicalized and was under federal monitoring. Authorities also indicated the suspect was planning a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS, with Self as a primary target.

The planned date for the strike was October 17, a chili cook off fundraiser for veterans. The event was scheduled to feature former Cowboys players and other high profile guests. Self’s office noted that while they had received threats in the past, this was the first time an arrest had been made in connection with a threat against him. The congressman stated that the seriousness of the situation warranted a shift in how his team operated.

Self drew on his background in military combat zones to guide his response. He described a calm approach, noting that he needed to determine if the suspect was a lone wolf. His wife, who served as a military spouse for twenty five years, also helped the family understand the potential risks. The congressman emphasized that the event proceeded as planned, with him judging nineteen different chilies and three pots of beans without incident.

This development occurs while Self is actively campaigning for the midterm election. He has maintained a prominent stance against the implementation of Sharia law in the United States. In September, he introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law and asserting that the U.S. Constitution remains the supreme law of the land. The political landscape in his district has been further shaped by local debates in McKinney, where city council members unanimously approved a site plan for mosque expansion in August. That vote followed hours of contentious public comment and was later followed by an effort to recall several council members.

Self’s opponent in the midterm election, Evan Hunt, condemned the alleged plot in a social media post. The teen’s identity has not been released publicly as the investigation continues. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for additional information but has not yet responded to inquiries.

Despite the threat, Self has continued his polling activities and voter outreach. He stated that the incident will not deter him from alerting the American people to what he views as a concerning political ideology. The congressman plans to keep meeting voters and doing his job, indicating a resolve to push forward through the remainder of the election cycle.