Congressman Keith Self says he judged chili despite FBI arrest of 17-year-old plotter

The tension surrounding Rep. Keith Self’s race for a third term escalated when federal agents moved against a 17-year-old suspect. The teen from McKinney is accused of plotting to assassinate the Republican congressman. Self’s campaign officials confirmed the details to NBC 5. The suspect is also alleged to have been planning a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS. The target date for the strike was a chili cook-off fundraiser for veterans. That event was scheduled for October 17 and was to feature former Cowboys players and other high-profile guests.

The timeline of the investigation reveals a rapid sequence of events. The FBI arrested the teen on October 5. Federal agents had been monitoring the suspect because they believed the individual had been radicalized. Self’s team did not learn of the arrest until October 6. They received the news through U.S. Capitol Police. Investigators told the campaign that the teen intended to strike during the fundraiser. Self’s staff said the information came from the U.S. Capitol Police. The FBI Dallas office has been contacted for further details but has not yet responded.

Upon receiving the intelligence, Self and his team adjusted their security posture. The congressman said he increased his situational awareness as early voting continued across the state. He noted that his past military service helped him stay calm. Self said he had deployed to combat zones several times. He explained that people without that experience often panic when told someone is trying to kill them. In his case, he focused on determining if the threat was a lone wolf. He stated that the arrest meant they needed to stay vigilant but not panicked. His wife, a military spouse for 25 years, also took the threat seriously.

Self acknowledged receiving threats in the past. However, he noted that this was the first time the situation rose to the level of an arrest. The seriousness of the incident was clear to him and his staff. He said he understood it could have been a very serious incident. Despite the looming threat, he decided to proceed with his public schedule. This included attending the targeted event as planned.

At the October 17 chili cook-off, Self performed his role as a judge. He evaluated 19 different chilies and three pots of beans. He described the experience as delightful. Nothing happened at the event. He has continued campaigning since the arrest. He has been poll greeting and meeting voters daily. He stated that the plot will not deter him from alerting the American people to what he views as a dangerous political ideology. His opponent, Evan Hunt, condemned the alleged plot on social media.

The political context of the plot is significant. Self has taken a prominent stance against Sharia law. In September, he introduced a nonbinding concurrent resolution denouncing Sharia law. The resolution asserts that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. His district includes McKinney. That city saw considerable attention over plans for a new mosque expansion. In August, the McKinney City Council unanimously approved a site plan for the expansion. The vote followed contentious public comment and was later followed by an effort to recall several council members. The teen’s identity has not been released as the investigation continues.