President-elect Trump criticizes immigration policies, calls the New Orleans attack an act of ‘pure evil’ as FBI confirms terrorism link.
Washington DC [US], January 2: President-elect Donald Trump reignited the debate on immigration and crime following the tragic car-ramming attack in New Orleans, which claimed 10 lives and injured 35 others during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Trump blamed Democratic policies for failing to address criminal migration, asserting that his previous warnings had been ignored.
In a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said, “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. The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before.”
Expressing solidarity with the victims, Trump added, “Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department. The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”
Details of the Incident
The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. The area was bustling with crowds celebrating New Year’s Eve, enjoying open-air concerts, countdown events, and festive meals at local restaurants, according to CNN.
The celebrations were also linked to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, an annual college football event drawing fans nationwide, where the University of Georgia faced Notre Dame.
Investigation and Response
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), now leading the investigation, has classified the incident as “an act of terrorism.” In a statement on X, the FBI confirmed that the suspect responsible for the attack was killed during an encounter with local law enforcement.
Biden Responds with Condolences
US President Joe Biden also issued a statement expressing his grief over the tragic incident. He said, “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.”
Political Fallout
The tragedy has intensified political divisions over immigration and crime policies. While Trump criticized the Democratic leadership for ignoring immigration concerns, Biden emphasized unity and resilience in his response.
As investigations continue, both federal and local authorities remain vigilant to prevent further threats while working to support the victims and their families.
