In a startling turn of events, the FBI has yet to comment on whether it will take disciplinary action against the agent who initially dismissed the horrific New Year's Day attack in New Orleans as a non-terrorist event.
This statement was later contradicted when the agency announced that the incident was indeed being investigated as a potential act of terror.
According to Fox News Digital, the FBI's press office and press secretary were contacted on Thursday and Friday to determine if Alethea Duncan, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans field office, would face repercussions for her initial assessment. However, no responses were received. Fox Digital's attempts to leave a voicemail regarding the inquiry were thwarted by a full mailbox at the FBI press office.
The incident in question occurred on Bourbon Street in the early hours of New Year's Day, causing pandemonium among the holiday revelers. Duncan, speaking at a press conference, asserted that the attack was not linked to terrorism. "We'll be taking over the investigative lead for this event. This is not a terrorist event," Duncan stated during the briefing.
Contradicting Duncan's statement, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell informed the public and media that the city had indeed been the target of a terrorist attack. "Know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack. It's all still under investigation," Cantrell, a Democrat who has been in office since 2018, announced at the press conference.
In response to Fox Digital's request for comment on the controversy surrounding Duncan's initial assessment, the FBI provided three separate statements issued on the day of the attack, all indicating that the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism. "This morning, an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing a number of people and injuring dozens of others. The subject then engaged with local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism," one of the statements read.
In subsequent press conferences, Duncan revised her stance, stating that the attack was indeed being investigated as an act of terror. The FBI later confirmed that the suspect, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, had an ISIS flag in his truck at the time of the attack. The agency further revealed that Jabbar, a Texas-based Army veteran, had been "inspired" by ISIS, although no evidence was found to suggest that he was directed by the group to carry out the attack.
The FBI's handling of the investigation has drawn criticism from conservative lawmakers, allies of former President Trump, and voters. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee argued that the FBI has prioritized DEI practices over crime fighting. "The FBI has a no-fail mission. There is no room for error. When they fail, Americans die. It's a necessity that Kash Patel gets confirmed ASAP," a source close to President-elect Donald Trump told Fox News Digital, adding to the chorus of criticism.
The FBI's silence on the matter raises questions about the agency's accountability and its commitment to accurately informing the public about potential threats. The incident underscores the importance of clear and accurate communication in times of crisis, particularly when public safety is at stake.
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