Cornell wanted to carry out what he described as a "great attack" against the US against all those, who kill Muslims. The man, arrested in January, claimed he was affiliated with the Islamic State and would have done anything the radical group asked him to.
“I would have took my gun, I would have put it to Obama's head and I would have pulled the trigger,” he said.
He added that he wanted to kill government officials to revenge US airstrikes on ISIL targets. The terror plan he was following was organized by the jihadist group, Cornell said.
Cornell was arrested on January 14 after buying firearms and 600 rounds of ammunition.
Allegedly influenced by Islamic State and professed intent to commit jihad, Cornell posted videos, statements and other content online in support of ISIL and violent acts committed outside the United States.
His arrest came after several months of investigation and contact between Cornell and a confidential FBI source, in which Cornell allegedly plotted to place a pipe bomb at the Capitol then shoot and kill government officials, according to the FBI charges.
He was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, the FBI arrest warrant states.