Staff Reports
In a classic case of “this isn’t the kind of news you want to hear while trying to enjoy a po’ boy,” President Joe Biden has confirmed that the notorious New Orleans terror suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drew inspiration directly from ISIS. A 42-year-old American citizen with a Texas birthplace, Jabbar apparently traded in his Army uniform for a pickup truck aimed at a crowd on Bourbon Street, striking fear into the heart of a city known more for its festivities than its tragedies.
Speaking from Camp David—because why wouldn’t a president address a serious national security threat from the comfort of a cozy retreat—Biden took a moment to thank the law enforcement heroes who put a quick end to Jabbar’s intentions. Kudos, of course, go to the dedicated agents of the FBI, DHS, and DOJ for their tireless efforts in investigating this heinous act of violence. It’s a job they have to do regularly due to a pattern that seems to emerge whenever these “inspired” individuals choose to act out their violent fantasies.
Jabbar’s military background is a puzzling twist; despite serving both in the active-duty Army and the Army Reserve, it appears that his time in service didn’t deter him from veering down a path of violence. This begs the question: how does a man with such a background end up becoming a poster child for jihadist inspiration? Biden’s comments revealed that just before executing his attack, Jabbar was busy on social media, posting videos that flaunted his admiration for ISIS and a rather morbid desire to cause destruction. Terrorists these days really do think the internet is their best friend.
Biden Confirms Suspect in New Orleans Terror Attack ‘Inspired by ISIS‘ https://t.co/m6XVhasuAf
— Elizabeth Weibel (@elfaddis) January 2, 2025
The attack, occurring in the early hours of the morning, left at least 15 dead and around 35 injured. The sheer scale of devastation has rattled a city accustomed to late-night revelries rather than violent outbursts. But naturally, the cherry on top of this tragic sundae was the discovery of the ISIS flag in Jabbar’s rental vehicle. It’s hard to believe, but for some, this sort of red flag wouldn’t be enough to raise alarms. Add to this the presence of suspicious explosives, and one can’t help but think that the responses from intelligence agencies need an overhaul.
In the end, Biden took a moment to express sympathies for the victims and their families, but one has to wonder how long it will take him to connect the dots between military veterans going rogue and the need for a more rigorous vetting of both service members and their social media activities. When the nation looks to its leaders for guidance in the face of such terror, they certainly expect more than heartfelt condolences; they crave concrete action that tackles root causes rather than just reactionary speeches from well-furnished retreats.
