Bipartisan senators introduced a bill Tuesday that would increase the penalties for certain crimes committed by foreign governments, including assassination, Fox News reported. This law was in response to an alleged Iranian murder-for-hire plot against an American journalist.
The bill was introduced by Republican Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire. The legislation, dubbed the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act, targets crimes committed by foreign actors in the U.S.
There are stiffer penalties for crimes against federal officials, including assassination, attempted murder, and murder for hire. It would also inflict more severe punishment on those who target former officials based on their official conduct while in office.
Attempted kidnapping and stalking were also included in the bill. These crimes would carry an additional 10 years in jail for foreign governments that either commit or direct these crimes to be committed in the U.S.
The lawmakers involved in introducing the bill explained how the move would be a positive move for the U.S. Ernst said the legislation is necessary to prevent America's enemies from continuing to "fund crimes against Americans on our own soil," such as Iran.
She added the move is a "peace through strength" proposition that serves as a deterrent to the "Death to America" crowd. This echoes the sentiments of former GOP President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War.
Meanwhile, Slotkin used the legislation as a warning not to "commit crimes in America on behalf of foreign adversaries" or risk facing "serious consequences," including increased prison time. She also touted the national security aspect of the legislation.
"The bipartisan DETERRENCE Act helps strengthen penalties for these crimes and sends a clear message about how seriously we take our national security and how we will hold accountable those who commit crimes against our nation," Slotkin added. This is an uncommonly strong and logical take from a Democrat.
Shockingly, Hassan similarly had the same selling point, noting that the law would deter those seeking to harm Americans. "Foreign adversaries are working with gangs and criminals in the United States to try to kill people on our soil, which is a national security risk," Hassan noted.
Like many bills, there was an inciting incident that led to the introduction of this legislation. Two foreign nationals, Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of the Czech Republic and Slovenia, allegedly were hired to kill Masih Alinejad.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted the Iranian-born journalist for a hit. The foreign adversary allegedly hired the members of the Russian mafia to kill Alinejad, who was living in New York at the time.
Amirov and Omarov pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court appearance last month while Alinejad rejoiced in getting justice. "Finally, I will face the men hired by the Islamic Republic to kill me, right here in New York," the journalist said.
Although it wouldn't apply retroactively, President Donald Trump surely would have rejoiced had this been in place for his would-be Iranian assassin. According to Reuters, Iranian man Farhad Shakeri was charged with plotting to kill the then-candidate in October 2024 at the direction of the Iranian government.
The penalties against foreign nationals who commit crimes should indeed be stiffer as a way to deter crime from being perpetrated on citizens. The fact that it has bipartisan support is promising for its eventual passage if it makes it to Trump's desk.
