Biden Visits
President Joe Biden visited a memorial site on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, paying respects to the victims of a terrorist attack that occurred on New Year's Day, which resulted in the loss of 14 lives and injured 30 people. The President and First Lady Jill Biden laid flowers and held a moment of silence, demonstrating their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
The President then attended an interfaith prayer service at St. Louis Cathedral, where he met with grieving families and delivered remarks. This visit is likely one of the last opportunities for President Biden to visit the scene of a horrific crime as president, given his limited time left in office. The memorial service aimed to honor the lives lost and survivors of the attack, and a fund has been established to support the families of those affected. Additionally, Governor Jeff Landry has declared a statewide period of mourning and is expected to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration to open up federal assistance.
The attack, carried out by Shamsud-din Jabbar, an Army veteran, has raised questions about the city's security protocol. In response, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has ordered a review of New Orleans' security plans, which will examine the city's security measures, including funding, risk assessments, and policies. The review, conducted by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, aims to provide a full and complete picture of what happened and what needs to change to prevent similar incidents in the future. This move comes amid criticism that barricades were not in place and cameras were not functioning on the day of the attack.
As the city prepares for upcoming events, including Mardi Gras, the Department of Homeland Security has upgraded the festivities to a Special Event Assessment Rating of 1, the highest level. The Biden administration has announced that federal assistance will be provided during the event, ensuring the safety and security of attendees. The review of security plans and the provision of federal assistance demonstrate the commitment to preventing similar incidents and supporting the people of New Orleans during this difficult time.