Washington – House Homeland Security Committee members to be briefed by FBI Thursday morning Attack in New Orleans, In which officials say that on New Year's Day, a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd in the French Quarter.
David Scott, assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division, will brief members of the Louisiana congressional delegation as well as committee members and staff in a call Thursday morning, according to a committee aide.
The FBI said the attack, which officials said killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others, is being investigated as an act of terrorism. The black flag of ISIS was flying on the rear bumper of the truck. FBI has identified Shamsud-Deen JabbarA 42-year-old man from Texas is driving the vehicle. Jabbar “had posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS and expressed a desire to kill.” President Biden said Wednesday.
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The FBI is leading the investigation, and Mr. Biden said in a statement that he had directed his administration to ensure that “every resource available to federal, state and local law enforcement is available to investigate whatever happened.” “To get to the bottom as soon as possible.” It is possible and it should be ensured that no threat of any kind remains.”
Democratic Representative Troy Carter, who represents the district and serves on the Homeland Security Committee, said on “CBS Mornings” that he believes New Orleans is safe, citing the FBI's assessment. He said the area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation has been conducted in the entire city area.
Carter said, “There are a number of leads that are being followed up and like any other terrorist incident, you can never be too careful, so our caution is to make sure we leave no stone unturned.” Because it is related to the investigation.” Said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Fox News Thursday morning that he had spoken to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Merrick Garland, noting that “there are many, many FBI agents who are on the ground who have been dispatched.” in New Orleans” who are looking at “every possible angle.”
“We are confident that the partnership between federal and state authorities will provide us with the answers we need,” Johnson said.
Representative Mike Waltz, chosen by President-elect Donald Trump as his national security adviser, said on Fox News that intelligence indicators need to be examined. Although the attacker was born in the US, Waltz said that “the whole world knows we have open borders” and “they intend to attack us, and to do that they are pushing people into our interior.” Are.”
Waltz said that if the US “is investigating itself internally, we cannot defend ourselves abroad.”
The FBI investigation continues. A US official familiar with the investigation told CBS News on Thursday that the FBI now believes the attacker may not have worked with associates.