WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday after a terrorist attack in New Orleans killed 15 people and injured dozens more, calling the assault “despicable.”
“I would like you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you. We’re going to face with you as you mourn and as you heal within the weeks to return,” Biden stated throughout his remarks, which had been delivered at Camp David in Maryland.
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The president stated that the FBI instructed him that simply hours earlier than the assault, the suspect posted videos to social media “indicating that he was impressed by ISIS, expressing a want to kill.”
Biden additionally famous that “the investigation is constant to be lively, and nobody ought to leap to conclusions.” He stated he would hold the nation “absolutely contemporaneously knowledgeable.”
“So many individuals world wide love New Orleans due to its historical past, its tradition, and above all, its folks,” Biden stated. “So I do know whereas this individual dedicated a horrible assault on town, the spirit of our New Orleans won’t ever, by no means, by no means be defeated. It at all times will shine forth.”
The president thanked first responders, in addition to homeland safety and legislation enforcement officers.
Biden additionally briefly addressed an incident in Las Vegas, the place a Tesla Cybertruck exploded exterior the Trump International Hotel. NBC News has reported that the blast is being investigated as a doable terrorist assault.
The president stated that his staff was monitoring the explosion, noting that authorities are investigating any connection between the incident and the New Orleans assault.
Biden stated there was “nothing to report” on any connection presently.
Just hours into the brand new 12 months, a suspect drove a truck with an ISIS flag by a crowd in New Orleans. The suspect, who has been recognized as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, died throughout a gunfight with police. Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and Army veteran.
In the wake of the assault, the Sugar Bowl school soccer sport was postponed to 4 p.m. Thursday ET in New Orleans. It was initially scheduled for Wednesday evening, however the delay “will enable for added safety assets to be put in place as a way to preserve the standard requirements of a serious occasion within the Caesars Superdome,” in keeping with a statement issued by the bowl sport.
The White House stated earlier Wednesday that the president held a name with prime homeland safety and legislation enforcement officers, together with Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Biden additionally launched an announcement on the assault earlier Wednesday, noting that he directed his staff “to make sure each useful resource is accessible as federal, state, and native legislation enforcement work assiduously to unravel what occurred as rapidly as doable and to make sure that there isn’t any remaining menace of any type.”
