President-elect Donald Trump‘s border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News‘ Tammy Bruce that the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day were “suicide missions.”
“Both of these incidents—Las Vegas and New Orleans—they’re both going to be U.S. citizens. They’re both going to have recent U.S. travel,” Homan said. “They both were on a suicide mission. Neither one felt they were going to go home, and I think you’re going to see ISIS affiliation on both of them.”
Why It Matters
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, has been named the suspect in the New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people and injured 30 early Wednesday morning.
Later on Wednesday in Las Vegas, a Cybertruck exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The suspect’s name has not been released.
What To Know
Both incidents are being treated as an act of terrorism. Both cars were rented using the Turo app, according to the Associated Press.
At a press conference on Wednesday evening about the New Orleans attack, President Joe Biden also mentioned the Las Vegas incident, noting that law enforcement and the intelligence community are looking into whether there’s “any possible connection.”
The attack in New Orleans occurred around 4:15 a.m. EST in the French Quarter, one of New Orleans’ busiest areas, during the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Four victims have been identified by their families: Reggie Hunter, Nikyra Dedeaux, Tiger Bech and Nicole Perez.
An ISIS flag, weapons and a potential IED were found in the suspect’s rented truck, according to the FBI. Two additional IEDs were found earlier Wednesday morning. Biden said that the suspect had posted videos to social media in connection with the terrorist organization ISIS “mere hours” before the incident.
President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day that the New Orleans incident proved he was right about criminals “coming in” to the United States, though law enforcement said the suspect was born in the U.S.
In his interview with Fox, Homan shared Trump’s sentiment, saying that even though Biden “bragged today” that U.S. citizens committed both incidents, “he shouldn’t hang his hat on that.”
“We allowed this stuff to happen. This administration took a weak stance on this stuff,” Homan said. “Nothing’s going to change tomorrow. This administration has not taken action against the criminal cartels and terrorist organizations or try and secure our southern border. You can’t have national security if you don’t have border security. I don’t understand why they don’t get that. It’s common sense.”
In Las Vegas, one person died, and seven more suffered from minor injuries after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in the Trump International Hotel valet area. Police are treating the blast as a possible criminal act and a possible act of terror, ABC News reported.
What People Are Saying
Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, at a press conference: “Once the FBI has a chance to investigate all of this, working with state police, working with Homeland Security, working with the City of New Orleans, they are going to tell you what happened. I can promise you that. Or I’m going to raise fresh hell.”
President-elect Donald Trump, on Truth Social: “When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true.”
Former first lady Melania Trump, on X: “The incidents of violence that have impacted our communities are deeply concerning. The brutality must stop. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families who are experiencing such profound grief and loss.”
Jeremy Schwartz, acting FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Las Vegas office, at a news conference: “I know you have a lot of questions.”
“We don’t have a lot of answers.”
What’s Next
The FBI is leading the investigation into the New Orleans case. Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the FBI’s New Orleans Bureau by calling (504) 816-3000 or by emailing [email protected].
The Las Vegas Police Department said it is investigating the fire and explosion. At Wednesday’s news conference, Schwartz confirmed that the FBI is also involved in this investigation.
“The investigation continues to be active, and no one should jump to conclusions,” Biden said at Wednesday’s press conference.
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