FBI Believes NOLA Terror Suspect Acted Alone | Afternoon Update | 1.2.25

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: FBI Believes NOLA Terror Suspect Acted Alone | Afternoon Update | 1.2.25 Release Date: January 2, 2025

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Overview of the New Orleans Terror Attack

In the latest Morning Wire episode, hosts John Bickley and Georgia Howe delve into the tragic New Year's Eve terror attack in New Orleans. Initially suspected to involve a terror cell, authorities have now concluded that the perpetrator, Shamsud Din Jabbar, acted alone. The attack resulted in the death of 15 individuals, with Jabbar himself succumbing in a shootout with police shortly after the incident.

Georgia Howe reported:

"Federal agents are sweeping locations across several cities as investigations continue. That includes the search of a New Orleans Airbnb allegedly tied to Jabbar and a home in Houston." (00:11)

FBI Investigation and Potential Links to Other Incidents

During a press conference, the FBI addressed speculations connecting the New Orleans attack to the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion, clarifying that no definitive link has been established at this stage.

FBI Spokesperson stated:

"At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas. And again, I'll preface as I close, I'll preface everything with what I started with in the beginning, which was this is very early in an investigation like this." (00:44)

Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Details

Parallel to the New Orleans incident, authorities have identified Matthew Livelsberger, a Colorado resident and army veteran, as the driver behind the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger had rented the vehicle via Turo and loaded it with explosive devices, fireworks-style mortars, camping fuel, and a detonation device. The explosion resulted in his death and injuries to several others.

Tim Rice, Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor, provided details:

"The suspect in the terror attack in New Orleans was also a military veteran, and the truck he used was also rented on Touro." (01:14)

Presidential and Governor Responses

President Joe Biden has taken swift action in response to the attacks. He convened his national security team to receive updates on the New Orleans investigation and emphasized the allocation of all necessary resources to law enforcement agencies.

President Biden remarked:

"To make sure every resource, every resource is made available to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and to make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people." (02:02)

In a display of solidarity, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visited Bourbon Street, the attack site, and spoke to the resilience of the community.

Governor Jeff Landry shared:

"We can't live in fear because fear will paralyze us. We come down to the city to enjoy ourselves and to entertain ourselves and to be with our friends and with our families because that's who we are." (02:27)

Personal Impact: Former Athlete Among Victims

The attack also claimed the life of Martin Tiger Beck, a former Princeton Tigers wide receiver and Two Ivy League championships winner. His brother, Jack Beck, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, highlighting their close bond.

Jack posted:

"Love you always, brother. You inspired me every day. Now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family tea. Don't worry, this is for us." (03:01)

Presidential Honors and Political Reactions

In a surprising move, President Biden awarded Liz Cheney, a prominent Trump critic, the Presidential Citizens Medal alongside Democrat Rep. Vanny Thompson. This honor, the second-highest civilian medal, is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to the nation.

Amanda Presto Giacomo, Daily Wire reporter, elaborated:

"Republicans say the move is yet more proof that the J6 committee was overtly political from the start. Cheney and Trump have frequently traded barbs, and the former Republican congresswoman even went as far as joining Kamala Harris on her failed presidential campaign." (03:47)

Media Criticism from The New York Post

The episode also touches on a scathing editorial from The New York Post, which criticizes journalists for allegedly concealing or ignoring signs of President Biden's mental fitness. Mary Margaret Olihan, Daily Wire senior reporter, discusses the fallout from this editorial.

Mary Margaret Olihan reported:

"Concerns about Biden's health surged after viral moments of confusion, a Wall Street Journal report on his faltering demeanor and a disastrous June debate performance. And while the White House refuses to give any validity to these reports, many liberal journalists have since admitted regret calling their defense a Biden a major misstep. As trust in the media hits historic lows, the Post insists that those who tried to keep this under wraps must be held responsible." (04:28)

Conclusion

The Morning Wire afternoon update provides a comprehensive overview of the day's critical events, from the tragic terror attacks to the ensuing political and media reactions. With insightful analysis and firsthand quotes, listeners are kept informed of the latest developments shaping the national discourse.

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For more in-depth coverage of these stories, visit dailywire.com or tune into the full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Thursday, January 2nd, and this is your MORNING WIRE afternoon update.

[Georgia Howe]

After initially suggesting there might be a terror cell involved, authorities now believe that Shamsud Din Jabbar acted alone when he allegedly drove into a New Orleans New Year's eve crowd, killing 15. Jabbar died shortly after in a shootout with police. Federal agents are sweeping locations across several cities as investigations continue. That includes the search of a New Orleans Airbnb allegedly tied to Jabbar and a home in Houston. During a press conference today, the FBI also addressed theories surrounding the New Orleans attack and Vegas cybertruck explosion being connected.

[FBI Spokesperson]

At this point, there is no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas. And again, I'll preface as I close, I'll preface everything with what I started with in the beginning, which was this is very early in an investigation like this.

[John Bickley]

Meanwhile, officials have identified the driver of the Tesla cybertruck that blew up outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. On New Year's Daily Wire deputy managing editor Tim Rice has the latest.

[Tim Rice]

Law enforcement says Colorado resident and army veteran Matthew Livelsberger rented the Tesla on Turo, then drove it up to the front of the hotel. There, explosive devices in the bed detonated, killing the driver and injuring several people. The officials say the vehicle was packed with fireworks style mortars, camping fuel and a detonation device. Livelsburger reportedly has several addresses in Colorado Springs, at least one of which was raided by officials late Wednesday. The suspect in the terror attack in New Orleans was also a military veteran, and the truck he used was also rented on Touro.

[Georgia Howe]

President Biden convened his national security team today in order to get an update on the investigation into the terrorist attack in New Orleans. Last night, Biden gave brief remarks on the attack, saying he's called for an investigation and aid to the city. At this time, I directed my team.

[President Biden]

To make sure every resource, every resource is made available to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation in New Orleans quickly and to make sure there is no remaining threat to the American people.

[John Bickley]

Earlier in the day, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visited Bourbon street to tour the site of the attack. In a television appearance this morning, the governor said that while residents are mourning, they also will not let the heinous act conquer their spirit.

[Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry]

This morning, and I don't want to sing aloud just one news source, but I just happened to turn on Fox and Friends and that was a young man who was interviewed who's actually on Bourbon street during this horrific act of terrorism. And they closed out by asking him, what now? And I think he summed it up. He said, look, we can't live in fear because fear will paralyze us. He said, we come down to the city to enjoy ourselves and to entertain ourselves and to be with our friends and with our families because that's who we are.

[John Bickley]

A former Princeton football player was among the 15 people killed in the attack in New Orleans. Martin Tiger Beck died in the hospital shortly after. Beck played wide receiver for the Princeton Tigers from 2016 to 2018, earning honors as a kick returner and winning two Ivy League championships. Beck's younger brother Jack posted a personal message to his brother on social media, writing, quote, love you always, brother. You inspired me every day. Now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family tea. Don't worry, this is for us.

[Georgia Howe]

President Biden is honoring staunch Trump critic Liz Cheney for her work on the widely criticized January 6th Committee. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presto Giacomo has the details.

[Amanda Presto Giacomo]

The president is giving Cheney, along with Democrat Rep. Vanny Thompson, the Presidential Citizens Medal. That's the second highest civilian medal and one intended only for those who have performed exemptions, exemplary deeds of service for their country or for fellow citizens. Republicans say the move is yet more proof that the J6 committee was overtly political from the start. Cheney and Trump have frequently traded barbs, and the former Republican congresswoman even went as far as joining Kamala Harris on her failed presidential campaign.

[John Bickley]

And the New York Post is calling for accountability for journalists who, quote, concealed or ignored President Biden's mental fitness, Daily Wire senior reporter Mary Margaret Olihan reports.

[Mary Margaret Olihan]

In a blistering editorial, the Post accused journalists of ignoring clear signs of Biden's struggles and joining a, quote, crusade to gaslight America. Concerns about Biden's health surged after viral moments of confusion, a Wall Street Journal report on his faltering demeanor and a disastrous June debate performance. And while the White House refuses to give any validity to these reports, many liberal journalists have since admitted regret calling their defense a Biden a major misstep. As trust in the media hits historic lows, the Post insists that those who tried to keep this under wraps must be held responsible.

[Georgia Howe]

Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com, and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire. Every morning.