The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security in the United States have issued a warning about a potential threat to public safety, stating that "violent extremists" may attempt to imitate the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people. According to Reuters, this warning was released one week before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security stated in a statement on January 13 that they are "concerned about imitative or retaliatory attacks, as the use of vehicles as a method of attack remains appealing to violent extremists." In the early hours of January 1, 2025, a man drove a rental truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's on the busy Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several and injuring many. The attacker, identified as Shams al-Din Jabbar, a veteran of the United States Army, had previously pledged allegiance to ISIS and reportedly recorded videos condemning music, drugs, and alcohol. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security noted that such attacks inspired by foreign "terrorist" organizations have been carried out in the United States and abroad using rental, stolen, or personal vehicles. These agencies added that attackers may also use improvised explosive devices to enhance a vehicle attack. According to them, past targets have included pedestrians, police forces, or military members, and crowded public places accessible from the street. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security also urged the public to "remain vigilant for potential imitative or retaliatory attacks and report any suspicious activity" to law enforcement. Joe Biden and his wife visited the site of the terrorist attack in New Orleans, calling it "horrific" and stating that investigations are ongoing. Global reactions to the deadly attack in New Orleans have been noted, with the death toll rising to 15; the FBI reported that an ISIS flag was found in the attacker's truck.
US Security Agencies Warn of Possible Imitative Attacks Similar to New Orleans
The FBI and DHS warned of potential imitative attacks following a deadly New Year's Day incident in New Orleans, where a veteran drove a rental truck into a crowd, killing 14. The attacker had pledged allegiance to ISIS, raising concerns about similar future attacks as Trump's inauguration approaches.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The FBI and DHS warned of potential imitative attacks following a deadly incident in New Orleans where a veteran drove a rental truck into a crowd, killing 14. The attacker had pledged allegiance to ISIS, raising concerns about similar future attacks as Trump's inauguration approaches.
- The New Orleans attack occurred on January 1, 2025, resulting in 15 deaths.
- The attacker was a U.S. Army veteran who had previously pledged allegiance to ISIS.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The use of vehicles in terrorist attacks has become a common tactic, raising concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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