The FBI is silent about it whether it will fire or discipline the officer 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 incident .
Fox News Digital contacted the FBI’s press office and press secretary on Thursday and Friday asking whether Alethea Duncan, FBI assistant special agent in charge in New Orleans, would be fired or face disciplinary action over her initial claim that the attack was not related to terrorism. but got no answers. Fox Digital also called the FBI press office Friday morning, but was unable to leave a message about the investigation because its voicemail box was full.
After chaos ensued on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning as New Year’s revelers celebrated the holiday, Duncan spoke at a news conference and declared the attack was not related to terrorism.
‘We are taking over the research leadership for this event. This is not a terrorist eventDuncan said at press time.
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FBI Special Agent Aletha Duncan tells the audience during a press conference that the attack in New Orleans was not related to terrorism. (Reuters)
However, during that same press conference, the mayor of New Orleans told the media and public that the city was indeed the victim of a terrorist attack.
‘Know that the city of New Orleans was hit by a terrorist attack. It’s all still under investigation,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat who has held the position since 2018, said during the news conference.
On Thursday, the FBI responded to Fox Digital’s request for comment regarding 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 all of which said the FBI was investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
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“This morning, a person drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several people and injuring dozens of others. The suspect then spoke to the local police and has since died. The FBI is the leader. investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” the FBI said in one of the statements to Fox Digital.
Duncan also said at 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 that they have found no evidence that he was directed by ISIS to carry out the rampage.
Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana speaks to the media during a press conference on January 1, 2025 in New Orleans. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, was killed after exchanging gunfire with police after plowing through a crowd of people with a truck.
Conservative lawmakers, Trump allies and voters have criticized the FBI for its handling of the investigation, including Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, arguing that the FBI has focused more attention on DEI practices rather than fighting 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 imperative that Kash Patel be confirmed as soon as possible.” a source close to newly elected President Donald Trump added in criticism to Fox News Digital on Thursday morning.
