Keith Self's Campaign Reacts to FBI Arrest of Teen Linked to Assassination Plot

Congressman Keith Self confirmed that his security posture changed after the FBI arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney on October 5. The teenager is accused of plotting to assassinate the North Texas lawmaker. Self’s campaign officials told NBC 5 that the arrest became apparent to his team on October 6 when U.S. Capitol Police shared the details. This development comes as Self campaigns for a third term representing Texas’ third congressional district.

Investigators reportedly believed the teen had been radicalized and was under federal surveillance. According to information provided to Self’s team, the suspect was also planning a broader terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The congressman was identified as a specific target for an event scheduled for October 17. That event was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans that featured former Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

Self stated that he reacted with a degree of calm, citing his background in military combat zones. He noted that those without such experience might panic when told someone intends to kill them. In his view, the key question after the arrest was whether the teen was a lone wolf. He said he took the threat seriously but found it less traumatic than it might have been for other colleagues.

The congressman’s wife, who spent 25 years as a military spouse, also treated the situation with gravity. She has sent him into combat multiple times in the past, giving her a practical understanding of the risks involved. Self acknowledged that he has received threats before, but he emphasized that none had resulted in an arrest. He described this incident as distinct because of the level of seriousness conveyed by investigators.

Despite the alleged plot, Self attended the October 17 fundraiser as planned. He said he judged 19 different chilies and three pots of beans at the event. He described the experience as delightful and noted that nothing happened. He added that his team became more vigilant and aware of their surroundings during the period following the October 5 arrest.

Self has continued his campaigning activities, including poll greeting voters. He said he would not be deterred by the threat and plans to continue alerting the American people to what he calls a specific political ideology. His campaign manager confirmed that the team learned of the arrest through Capitol Police and that the teen was being monitored by federal agents prior to the detention.

The arrest coincides with Self’s prominent stance against Sharia law. In September, he introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law and opposing its implementation in the United States. The resolution asserts that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. His district includes McKinney, where a mosque expansion has drawn significant attention. In August, the McKinney City Council unanimously approved a site plan for the expansion after hours of contentious public comment. A later effort was made to recall several council members following the vote.

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