No one in America expected to wake up to the news that not just one but possibly even two terrorist attacks had taken place on New Year’s Day on American soil, with the Bourbon Street (New Orleans) street massacre happening in the overnight hours and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas occurring just before 9 am local time.
In the NOLA attack, the now-deceased suspect, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, rammed a white pick-up truck through a crowd that was ringing in 2025. At least 15 are confirmed dead and scores more were injured in what the FBI says is being investigated as a terrorist attack and one in which the suspect allegedly did not act alone.
In the Vegas incident, one person was killed (the individual in the vehicle) and seven others who were nearby were injured. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. is said to be investigating it as a possible act of terror.
READ MORE: Police Investigating Vegas Trump Tower Cybertruck Explosion as Possible Act of Terror; Musk Weighs In
Accordingly, statements came out before noon Eastern time from political figures across the country including House and Senate members, and on up to President-Elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
But as we learned more as the day went on, one point was being brought up more and more:
Where was Joe Biden?
This was some of the commentary out there:
I realize that not all the information is in, but with two major terror attacks in 24 hours, statements that Biden is being briefed aren’t cutting it. He’s still president and needs to get in front of a camera.
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) January 1, 2025
We literally had two terror attacks in a span of 24 hours (New Orleans and outside a Trump property in Vegas), and where’s Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? If you’re getting the impression that no one is in charge, you wouldnt be wrong.
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) January 1, 2025
Isn’t it just amazing that every time there is a national tragedy, disaster or international calamity Biden is almost always on vacation and just sends out a tweet or posts a statement…
It’s gonna be great to come January 20 when we have an actual president again.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) January 1, 2025
As it turns out, Biden finally did appear before the cameras Wednesday, but in the first appearance it was only to reiterate what he’d already said in his initial written statement and to note that another one would be coming later:
“You all got my statement. I’ll have more to say in next hour about what’s going on in New Orleans…I’ve spoken to every member of the agencies, from CIA to national security team to FBI and NSC…anger and frustration”
– Biden reacts 10 killed as driver plows truck into crowd pic.twitter.com/wgaO8zBL3G
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 1, 2025
As we reported, at roughly 7 pm Eastern time, a tired-looking Biden finally delivered a brief, scripted statement from Camp David, condemning the New Orleans attack and saying not much was known yet on the Vegas incident but they were looking to see if the two were connected. He also praised first responders, pledged all available resources, and urged people not to jump to conclusions.
Once he concluded his remarks, he took no questions and exited the room.
In my opinion, this speech was too little, too late. Joe Biden should have appeared before the American people way before now. In times of crisis, that is what leaders do. But Biden, as we all know, is no leader, and has frequently been AWOL after other national tragedies, like in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene as well as the Maui fires, where in both instances his vacations simply couldn’t be interrupted.
Thankfully, we have a little less than three weeks to go before actual leadership returns to the White House. In the meantime, please continue to keep the surviving victims, the family members of the victims who were killed, and our country in your thoughts and prayers.
To see more of our coverage of these developing stories, please click here.
