President-elect Donald Trump has seized on the horrific New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans as evidence supporting his long-standing rhetoric on crime, vowing to fully back the city as it recovers from the tragedy. The devastating incident, which saw a driver plow into a crowd on Bourbon Street before opening fire on police, left 10 dead and 35 injured, shattering the festive atmosphere in one of America’s most iconic cities.
“This was an act of pure evil,” Trump wrote on social media Wednesday. “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. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones.”
Bipartisan Response to a National Tragedy
President Joe Biden also addressed the nation, condemning the attack and emphasizing the ongoing federal investigation. Biden confirmed that the FBI is leading efforts to determine the motives and details behind the act, which is being treated as terrorism.
“I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind,” Biden said in his statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
The Attack: What Happened in New Orleans
At around 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, a driver rammed into a crowd of pedestrians on Bourbon Street, a hub of celebration in New Orleans’ French Quarter. After the crash, the suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire on local police officers. Law enforcement returned fire, fatally striking the suspect at the scene. Two officers were injured but are reported to be in stable condition.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the attack a “terrorist act” during a press conference. New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick echoed this sentiment, describing the driver’s actions as deliberate and calculated.
“He was hell-bent on creating carnage and damage,” Kirkpatrick said. “This was intentional behavior, plain and simple.”
Federal Investigation Underway
Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism. Federal agencies, including the FBI, the ATF, and the Justice Department’s National Security Division, are working in coordination with local authorities to investigate.
“The FBI, the ATF, the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and will deploy every available resource to conduct this investigation,” Garland said.
Sources have reported that investigators found an improvised explosive device at the scene, although it remains unclear if it was viable.
Trump’s Pledge: A Hardline Approach to Crime
In his statement, Trump reiterated his tough stance on law and order, using the New Orleans tragedy as a rallying point for his administration’s crime agenda. Trump’s remarks underscored his long-standing claims that America is facing a growing crime crisis that requires immediate federal intervention.
“We will work closely with New Orleans and provide all necessary support to ensure justice is served,” Trump added. “We cannot allow this level of violence to continue.”
America Watches as New Orleans Reels
As the investigation continues, the attack has reignited conversations about public safety, terrorism, and the role of federal oversight in addressing crime. The starkly different tones of Biden and Trump’s responses reflect the polarized political landscape, but both leaders have promised swift action to support the victims and prevent future tragedies.
New Orleans, a city known for its resilience, now faces the challenge of healing from yet another act of violence. The nation watches closely, waiting for answers to emerge from the ongoing investigation.