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The FBI has remained silent about this whether to fire or punish the agent who initially told the media and public that the shocking New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans was “not a terrorist event” before the agency quickly backtracked and reported that the attack was in fact being investigated as a terrorist attack will incident.
Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI’s press office and press secretary on Thursday and Friday to inquire whether Alethea Duncan, the FBI’s assistant special agent in charge in New Orleans, was facing firing because of her initial assertion that the attack was not related to terrorism or face disciplinary measures. but haven’t received any answers. Fox Digital also called the FBI press office Friday morning but was unable to leave a message regarding the investigation because the voicemail box was full.
After chaos reigned on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning as people celebrated the New Year’s holiday, Duncan said during a news conference that the attack had nothing to do with terrorism.
“We will take over the lead investigation for this event. This is not a terrorist eventDuncan said during the press conference.
FBI Special Agent Aletha Duncan tells the public in a press conference that the attack in New Orleans had nothing to do with terrorism. (Reuters)
However, during the same press conference, the mayor of New Orleans told the media and public that the city had indeed suffered a terrorist attack.
“Know that the City of New Orleans was hit by a terrorist attack. Everything is still under investigation,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat who has held the office since 2018, said at the news conference.
On Thursday, the FBI responded to Fox Digital’s request for comment on criticism of Duncan’s initial assessment that the attack was not related to terrorism, telling Fox Digital that on the day of the attack The FBI released three different statements Everything indicated that the FBI was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
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“This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several people and injuring dozens more. The individual then contacted local law enforcement and has since died. The FBI is the leader “The investigation was conducted by an investigative agency and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” the FBI said in a statement provided to Fox Digital.
Duncan also said in subsequent news conferences that the attack was being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The FBI confirmed this week that the suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, had an ISIS flag in his truck at the time of the attack. The FBI added Thursday that Jabbar was “inspired” by ISIS, but it found no evidence that he was ordered by ISIS to carry out the rampage.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to the media during a news conference Jan. 1, 2025, in New Orleans. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, was killed after a shootout with police after he plowed a truck through a crowd.
Conservative lawmakers, Trump allies and voters have sharply criticized the FBI over its handling of the investigation, including Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, saying the FBI has placed a greater focus on DEI practices rather than the Combating crime.
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“The FBI has a mission that cannot fail. There is no room for error. If they fail, Americans die. It is a necessity that Kash Patel is confirmed as soon as possible.” a source close to President-elect Donald Trump added in criticism of Fox News Digital on Thursday morning.
