Official announcements from the U.S. Senate or government press releases

New Orleans, Las Vegas Attacks Spur GOP Push for Trump Security Picks After 15 Killed

Jan 2, 2025, 02:14 PM

Following suspected ISIS-inspired terrorist attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day, which killed 15 people in New Orleans and injured dozens, Republican senators are calling for the expedited confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s national security team. The New Orleans attack occurred when a 42-year-old suspect drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. An ISIS flag was reportedly found in the vehicle, and the suspect was killed during the incident. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican leaders, including John Barrasso and Rick Scott, emphasized the urgency of confirming key nominees such as Kash Patel for FBI Director, Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Kristi Noem for DHS, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, and Pam Bondi for Attorney General. The FBI, which is leading the investigation, has indicated that the suspect was inspired by ISIS but has found no evidence of direct coordination with the group. The FBI has faced criticism for intelligence failures leading up to the attack. The incidents have heightened calls for a swift confirmation process to ensure the new administration is prepared to address national security threats immediately upon taking office.