President-elect Donald Trump's incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emerges as a key voice in the administration's response to the deadly New Year's Day terror attack.
According to Daily Mail, Waltz has called for immediate closure of the U.S. border following the ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives on January 1, 2025.
The FBI has identified the perpetrator as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas who drove a rented pickup truck into New Year's crowds on Bourbon Street. Investigators discovered weapons, a potential improvised explosive device, and an Islamic State flag in the truck, raising concerns about possible collaborators in the attack.
Waltz emphasized the urgency of addressing border security, citing statistics of over 300 individuals on the terrorist watch list crossing the border in recent years. The incoming national security adviser stressed the need for both defensive measures and a renewed focus on overseas intelligence operations to counter terrorist threats.
Mike Waltz shared his perspective on the ongoing terrorist threat, stating:
We've got to take a hard look at our defenses. First and foremost, close our border where we've had over 300 people on the terrorist watch list traverse our border in the last years.
The administration's response aligns with Trump's previous statements about border security despite Jabbar being identified as a U.S.-born citizen. Trump has connected the attack to what he describes as "weak, ineffective, and virtually nonexistent leadership" in border enforcement.
The investigation into the New Year's Day attack continues as authorities work to determine whether Jabbar acted alone. Law enforcement's swift response ended in a fatal shootout with the suspect, preventing potentially more casualties.
Investigators are particularly focused on Jabbar's path to radicalization and potential overseas connections. Waltz acknowledged that it remains unclear whether the attack was entirely homegrown or involved international coordination.
The Biden administration has maintained a measured approach to the situation. President Biden convened his homeland security team in the White House Situation Room to receive updates on the investigation, emphasizing the importance of not jumping to conclusions about the attack's broader implications.
President-elect Trump's pick for national security adviser provided critical insights on the attack's security implications. Waltz stressed that while law enforcement's response was commendable, the failure to prevent the attack signals necessary improvements in intelligence gathering and threat assessment.
The incoming adviser's statements reflect a broader strategy shift, emphasizing both domestic security measures and international intelligence operations. He highlighted the need to reassess U.S. positioning of intelligence operatives to maintain surveillance of terrorist organizations.
The New Year's Day terror attack in New Orleans has become a focal point for discussions about national security strategy under the incoming Trump administration. The incident, which claimed 15 lives when U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a weaponized rental truck into crowds on Bourbon Street, has prompted calls for enhanced border security despite the attacker's American citizenship.
The response to the attack highlights divergent approaches between the current and incoming administrations, with Trump's team advocating for immediate border closure while Biden's administration emphasizes careful investigation and measured response.
