Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) criticized the media’s coverage of the New Year’s Eve attack on revelers in New Orleans, stating that the incident should be viewed as an act of war. Graham emphasized that the attack, which he described as “barbaric” and “cowardly,” was inspired by ISIS. In a post on the social platform X, Graham expressed his concern over America’s apparent shift away from acknowledging the ongoing war with radical Islamic forces.
The individual responsible for driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar. Authorities discovered an ISIS flag in the vehicle at the time of the attack, with the FBI confirming that the perpetrator was motivated by the terrorist group. Graham criticized the portrayal of such attacks as mere criminal events, stressing that they should be recognized as acts of war within the larger context of the fight against terrorism.
Graham urged a reevaluation of America’s approach to dealing with radical Islamic threats, emphasizing the need to utilize appropriate tools in times of war. He expressed hope that President Trump would recognize the distinction between criminal activities and acts of war inspired by radical Islamic ideology.
The New Orleans incident was one of two suspected attacks involving individuals with ties to the U.S. military. In a separate incident outside the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel, a Cybertruck explosion resulted in the death of a man identified as Army service member Matthew Alan Livelsberger. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) called for reflection on how service members entrusted with national security could commit violent acts against American citizens.
Malliotakis highlighted the importance of proactive measures by the intelligence community to combat reemerging threats from ISIS. She criticized the Biden Administration’s foreign policy decisions, attributing the resurgence of ISIS-related threats to such policies. Malliotakis stressed the urgency of assessing the presence and activities of individuals within the country in light of the recent attacks.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) also condemned the FBI’s initial assessment of the New Orleans attack, labeling it as “absolutely unacceptable.” Blackburn pointed out the presence of an ISIS flag in the suspect’s vehicle, emphasizing the need for accurate categorization of such incidents as acts of terror.
Authorities in Louisiana reassured the public of New Orleans’ safety following the attacks, allowing the Sugar Bowl to proceed as scheduled. Security measures were heightened in various locations across the country in response to the incidents, although investigators had not established a direct connection between the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks. The year of publication and copyright information were provided at the end of the article to ensure transparency and adherence to journalistic standards.
