In the aftermath of the tragic truck attack in New Orleans, several prominent Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump and members of Congress, have pointed to President Joe Biden’s border policies as a key factor in rising crime and national security risks. Although the attacker, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was later confirmed to be a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas, initial reports falsely suggested he had crossed the border illegally. Despite these corrections, Trump and his allies have continued to link the incident to the broader issue of unsecured borders.
Trump expressed outrage over the attack, emphasizing the alarming increase in crime across the nation. He reiterated concerns he had previously raised about the dangers posed by illegal immigration, warning that lax border security allows criminals and potential terrorists to infiltrate the U.S. He pointed to this attack as yet another example of how the country’s safety has been compromised under the current administration.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., shared an article that initially suggested the attacker had entered the country illegally, blaming Biden’s border policies for creating an environment where dangerous individuals could enter the U.S. and harm Americans. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) also voiced concerns, arguing that the attack highlighted the urgent need to secure the border and prevent further threats from entering the country.
Other Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), further stressed that the attack underscored the dangers of an open border. They argued that such policies enable dangerous individuals, including potential terrorists, to exploit the border’s vulnerability and set up cells in the U.S. These lawmakers suggested that the country’s immigration system is failing to protect citizens, with the current administration’s inaction exacerbating the crisis.
While the number of migrants on terrorist watchlists remains small, Republicans believe that any gap in border security could be exploited by those with malicious intent. Trump’s spokesperson defended the president-elect’s remarks, asserting that the threat of radical ideology infiltrating the country is real and must be addressed.
For many Republicans, the New Orleans attack serves as a painful reminder of the risks associated with an unsecured border. It strengthens their calls for stricter immigration enforcement and a more secure national border, emphasizing that national security must be prioritized to protect American citizens from growing threats.