FBI Arrests Teen Accused of Plot to Target Rep. Keith Self

Voters in North Texas' third congressional district are currently participating in early voting amid heightened security concerns. Campaign officials for Congressman Keith Self have confirmed that federal agents have taken a juvenile into custody following allegations of a plot involving the Republican lawmaker. The suspect, identified only as a 17-year-old from McKinney, was arrested by the FBI on October 5.

According to the congressman's campaign manager, his office was notified of the arrest by the U.S. Capitol Police the following day, on October 6. Investigators reportedly informed the campaign that they believed the teenager had been radicalized and was under federal surveillance. The allegations also suggest the teen was planning a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS, with specific instructions to target Rep. Self at a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans scheduled for October 17. That event was expected to feature former Cowboys players and other high-profile attendees.

Following the notification, the congressman stated that his team immediately adjusted their posture. Self said, "So at that point we upped our profile and we're a little more aware, although I had plenty of security." He noted that his previous military experience, which includes multiple deployments to combat zones, helped him process the information calmly. "Having deployed into combat zones several times, I'm happy it happened to me because people that have never dealt with this before tend to freak out when somebody tells you that somebody's trying to kill you," Self said. He added that while his wife, a military spouse for 25 years, is taking the matter seriously, he has received threats before, though nothing had previously risen to the level of an arrest.

Despite the alleged plot, Rep. Self attended the chili cook-off on October 17 as originally planned. "I judged 19 different chilies and three different pots of beans," he said, adding that nothing occurred at the event. The congressman also stated that he continues to campaign, including poll greeting voters, asserting that the incident will not deter his efforts to alert the public to what he describes as a political ideology. His opponent in the upcoming midterm election, Evan Hunt, also condemned the alleged plot in a social media post.

Several questions regarding the case remain unresolved. The FBI Dallas office has not yet responded to requests for further information, and the identity of the 17-year-old has not been released as the investigation continues. The arrest occurs against a backdrop where Rep. Self has taken a prominent stance against Sharia law, introducing a nonbinding concurrent resolution in September opposing its implementation in the United States. The congressman's district includes McKinney, a city that has recently seen intense debate and city council votes regarding plans for a local mosque.