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

GOP Calls for Immediate Senate Confirmation of Trump's Key National Security Nominees Post ISIS-Inspired New Orleans Attack

Jan 2, 2025, 02:29 PM

In the wake of a suspected ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, where 14 people were killed by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, Republican senators are urging the U.S. Senate to expedite the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's national security team. An ISIS flag was found in the vehicle used in the attack. The urgency of these confirmations has intensified, with key positions such as FBI Director, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence needing to be filled promptly. Notable nominees include Kash Patel for FBI Director, Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, and Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security. Senators like John Thune, John Barrasso, and Rick Scott have emphasized the urgency, stating that 'lives depend on it.' The Senate is expected to consider these nominees in the coming weeks, with some hearings scheduled for January.