President Joe Biden faces criticism over his timing of a New Year's greeting amid the devastating aftermath of a terror attack in New Orleans.
According to the Daily Mail, the President posted a simple "Happy New Year, folks" message on X at 10 AM ET on January 1, just hours after an alleged terrorist attack killed 15 people and injured 35 others during New Year's Eve celebrations on Bourbon Street.
The incident occurred around 3:15 AM local time when an armed suspect, wearing full body armor, drove into a crowd of revelers before opening fire. Mayor LaToya Cantrell has officially declared the incident a terrorist attack, with multiple casualties being treated across five different area hospitals.
Social media users quickly condemned Biden's initial post as "tone deaf" and "heartless," questioning the president's decision to share celebratory sentiments before addressing the tragedy. The criticism intensified as users pointed out the significant gap between the attack and the president's first public response.
Approximately one hour after his New Year's greeting, Biden issued a formal statement condemning the "act of terrorism" and expressing condolences to the victims' families. The White House confirmed that Biden had spoken with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, offering "full federal support" in response to the incident.
The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, working alongside local and state officials to determine the full scope of the attack. Federal law enforcement sources indicated that the suspect is believed to be deceased, though official confirmation is pending.
Biden addressed reporters while boarding a plane to Camp David, expressing "anger and frustration" over the incident. The president emphasized that his administration would ensure all necessary resources are available to support the investigation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy, noting that the Department of Justice's National Security Division would assist in the investigation. The coordinated response includes support from multiple federal agencies, including the ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
The White House confirmed that Biden has been receiving continuous briefings on the situation since early morning. His homeland security team, including Secretary Ali Mayorkas and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, remains actively involved in monitoring developments.
President Biden shared the following statement detailing the government's response to the attack:
I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. 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 occurred during what should have been a festive New Year's celebration, with witnesses describing scenes of chaos as the suspect, reportedly armed with an assault rifle, opened fire after driving into the crowd. Local law enforcement responded swiftly, engaging with the attacker amid the panic.
The incident has prompted increased security measures across major cities, with law enforcement agencies remaining on high alert. The FBI's involvement suggests potential broader implications for national security, though investigators have not yet released information about possible motives or connections to known terrorist organizations.
A terror attack in New Orleans on New Year's Eve left 15 people dead and 35 others injured when an armed suspect drove into crowds on Bourbon Street before opening fire. The incident, which occurred around 3:15 AM local time, prompted immediate response from local law enforcement and later drew criticism over President Biden's delayed public acknowledgment. The FBI has taken charge of the investigation, working with multiple federal agencies to determine the motives behind the attack and ensure there are no remaining threats to public safety.
