President Biden to visit New Orleans following deadly Bourbon Street truck attack
WASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will visit New Orleans on Monday to grieve with family members of victims and meet with officials on the ground following the city's New Year's Day attack, the White House said.
The visit comes after 14 people were killed and 35 injured after suspect 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a military veteran from Houston, rammed a rented pickup truck into pedestrians on bustling Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning. Police fatally shot Jabbar after he opened fire on officers.
On the day of the attack, Biden offered condolences to the victims' families in a national address from the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. "I want you to know I grieve with you," Biden said.
The FBI has said Jabbar acted alone in carrying out the attack. Jabbar posted five videos on social media expressing support for the Islamic State terrorist group ISIS over the roughly hour and a half before the 3:15 a.m. CST attack, according to the FBI. An ISIS flag was found in the back of the truck.
In remarks Thursday, Biden said the suspect had a remote detonator in his truck that was meant to set off two explosive devices placed inside ice coolers along Bourbon Street.
Biden said law enforcement officials “have not found any evidence” linking the New Orleans attack with an explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The suspect in both cases have U.S. military ties.
Biden's New Orleans visit will take place on Jan. 6 amid security concerns back in Washington, where Congress is scheduled to meet and count the electoral voters confirming President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Biden to visit New Orleans following deadly truck attack