President-elect Donald Trump’s allies are criticizing the FBI for initially stating that the car attack in New Orleans was not terror-related before launching a terrorism investigation allegedly connected to ISIS. The attack occurred on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Eve, resulting in at least 15 deaths and numerous injuries. The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was armed with a Glock and .308 rifle and was killed by police after opening fire. The FBI initially stated the attack was not terrorism, but later confirmed it was investigating it as an act of terror after an ISIS flag was found in the truck used in the attack.
Conservative lawmakers, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, mourned the victims of the attack and criticized the FBI for its handling of the situation. Blackburn, a key Senate ally of Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, called for Patel’s confirmation and criticized the FBI for allegedly failing in its response to the attack. The FBI faced backlash for not arriving at the suspect’s home in Texas until after the media had already staked out the property, leading to concerns about the agency’s effectiveness in handling such incidents.
Jabbar, the suspect in the attack, was identified as a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas and an Army veteran who served as a human and information technology specialist from 2007 to 2015, including a deployment in Afghanistan. Trump blamed President Biden’s administration policies, particularly the open border policy, for the attack, calling Biden the worst president in American history. Biden, in response, mourned the attack and emphasized the strength and resilience of New Orleans as a city known for its history, culture, and people.
The FBI’s initial characterization of the New Orleans attack as not terrorism, before later confirming it as an act of terror, sparked criticism from Trump allies and conservative lawmakers. Sen. Blackburn called for strong leadership at the FBI, including the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director. The FBI did not comment on the criticisms but directed inquiries to its statements confirming the attack as an act of terrorism. Jabbar, the suspect in the attack, was identified as an Army veteran and U.S. citizen, further raising questions about the motive and background of the perpetrator.
President Trump’s comments linking the attack to President Biden’s policies and calling him the worst president in American history underscore the political ramifications of such incidents. Biden, in response, highlighted the spirit and resilience of New Orleans in the face of tragedy, emphasizing the city’s unique culture and people. The FBI’s handling of the situation, from initially stating it was not terrorism to later investigating it as an act of terror, raises concerns about the agency’s effectiveness in responding to and preventing such attacks. Overall, the New Orleans attack highlights the challenges of domestic terrorism and the political divisions that can arise from such incidents.
