Political leaders swiftly condemned the New Orleans attack, with the White House pledging full support for the investigation and recovery efforts
New Orleans: Early on New Year’s Day, a tragic incident unfolded in the city. A man drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and 35 injuries. It was a deliberate attack, and the police are treating it as a terrorist act.
Political reactions came in fast. The White House announced that President Biden was briefed by top officials from the FBI and Homeland Security. He even spoke with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer federal support.
Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his heartbreak for the victims and their families. He assured that all available resources would be used to investigate this horrific event.
Donald Trump weighed in, suggesting the suspect might be a foreign national, although police haven’t confirmed this. He reiterated his stance on crime and offered support to New Orleans in the wake of this tragedy.
Congressman Troy Carter praised the quick actions of law enforcement, while House Speaker Mike Johnson called the attack pure evil and emphasized the need for swift justice.
District Attorney Jason Williams noted that law enforcement was prepared for any situation, but the attacker was intent on causing harm. The police response was rapid and overwhelming.
According to police, the suspect drove at high speed into the crowd around 3:15 AM before crashing and opening fire. They also found what looked like improvised explosive devices in the vehicle.
Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the attack as intentional, stating the man aimed to harm as many people as possible. Williams expressed the city’s resilience but acknowledged the heartbreak felt by the community.
First responders acted quickly to prevent further tragedy, and the public is urged to stay clear of the area as the investigation continues.
