Tom Homan, appointed as the incoming border czar, characterized the New Year’s Day attackers in New Orleans and Las Vegas as individuals on “suicide missions.” Speaking on Fox News, Homan explained that both incidents involved U.S. citizens with recent international travel and a determination not to survive their actions.
In the early hours of Wednesday, a pickup truck rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, leaving at least 15 dead and numerous others injured.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. A former U.S. Army member, Jabbar is believed to have been motivated by terrorist intentions, as explosives and an ISIS flag were found in his possession.
Another violent incident occurred in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel, resulting in one death and seven injuries.
The individual who lost his life in the explosion was reportedly an active-duty U.S. Army soldier. While investigations continue, President Biden disclosed that Jabbar had shared videos threatening violence against his family and expressing interest in ISIS.
Although fewer details are available about the Las Vegas suspect, Homan speculated that this individual may also have connections to ISIS. He criticized the administration’s handling of border and immigration policies, suggesting these policies have encouraged such attacks, despite both suspects being identified as U.S. citizens.
Homan, who formerly led Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expressed frustration with the administration’s approach, claiming that national security is inseparable from border security.
He has been tasked with advancing Trump’s extensive immigration policy goals. Trump also weighed in, attributing the recent attacks to the current state of the southern border and critiquing Biden’s immigration policies.
