The FBI has remained silent Whether to fire or discipline the agent who initially told the media and public that the horrific New Year's Day attack in New Orleans “was not a terrorist event,” before the agency quickly backtracked and announced that the attack was in fact under investigation as an act of terrorism remains to be seen. incident.
Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI press office and press secretary on Thursday and Friday, to inquire whether Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in New Orleans, Alethea Duncan, would face termination or disciplinary action over her initial claim that the attack was not linked to terrorism. But did not receive any responses. Fox Digital also contacted the FBI press office on Friday morning, but was unable to leave a message regarding the investigation because its voice mailbox was full.
After chaos erupted on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning as New Year's revelers celebrated the holiday, Duncan spoke during a news conference, declaring that the attack was not linked to terrorism.
“We will lead the investigation into this event. This is not a terrorist eventDuncan said during the press conference.
But during the same press conference, the mayor of New Orleans told the media and the public that the city had indeed been subjected to a terrorist attack.
“I know that City of New Orleans Affected 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 regarding criticism surrounding Duncan's initial assessment that the attack was not terrorism-related, detailing to Fox Digital that on the day of the attack, The FBI issued three different statements All said the FBI was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
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“This morning, a subject drove his car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several people and injuring dozens of others. The subject was then dealt with by local law enforcement and is now deceased. The FBI is leading One statement provided to Fox Digital: “An investigative agency, we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
Duncan also said in subsequent press conferences that the attack was being investigated as an act of terrorism.
The FBI confirmed this week that the suspect, Shams al-Din Jabbar, 42, had an ISIS flag in his truck at the time of the attack. The FBI added on Thursday that Jabbar was “inspired” by ISIS, but they found no evidence that he was directed by ISIS to carry out the attack.
Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, was killed after exchanging gunfire with police after he plowed a truck into crowds of people.
Conservative lawmakers, Trump allies and voters have criticized the FBI for its handling of the investigation, including Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, arguing that the FBI has focused too heavily on DEI practices rather than fighting crime.
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“The FBI has a mission that can't fail. There is no room for error. When they fail, Americans die. It is imperative that Kash Patel be confirmed as quickly as possible.” A source close to President-elect Donald Trump It was added in a critique of Fox News Digital on Thursday morning.