US terror suspect tells TV station that he would have shot Obama

Terror suspect Christopher Cornell has told a US TV station that he planned to put one of his guns to the President's head and "pull the trigger". Ohio resident Cornell has been in custody in Kentucky since January, accused of plotting to attack the US Capitol.

Ohio resident Cornell has been in custody in Kentucky since January, accused of plotting to attack the US Capitol.

Cornell was detained outside a gun shop. The FBI said he had purchased two M-15 assault weapons and 600 rounds of ammunition. It alleges he planned to "wage jihad" by attacking the Capitol with pipe bombs and gunning down government officials and employees.

Cornell called the Cincinnati television station WXIX-TV from his cell. He confessed to being an Islamic State (Isis) supporter and stated that he planned to kill US government officials in revenge for US airstrikes on Isis.

The TV station aired a segment of the interview on Friday, soon after 20-year-old Cornell's attorney tried to stop the broadcast by claiming that it could undermine Cornell's right to a fair trial.

During the interview, when asked what his plans were if he had not been arrested, Cornell said he would have taken one of his guns and "put it to Obama's head, I would have pulled the trigger, then I would unleash more bullets on the Senate and House of Representative members, and I would have attacked the Israeli embassy and various other buildings".

Cornell identified himself as Muslim several times. He stated that the reason for his planned attack was, "the continued American aggression against our people and the fact that America, specifically President Obama, wants to wage war against

He stated that the reason for his planned attack was, "the continued American aggression against our people and the fact that America, specifically President Obama, wants to wage war against Islamic State".

He also said: "They might say I'm a terrorist, but you know we see American troops as terrorists as well, coming to our land, stealing our resources and killing our people, raping our women."

Cornell claimed that support for Isis is widespread in the US: "We're here in Ohio, we're in every state," he said.

Cornell is charged with attempted murder of government employees and officials, as well as solicitation to commit a crime of violence.

Each federal indictment carries a possible sentence of 20 years imprisonment. He also faces a firearms charge.