Trump Links Illegal Immigration to New Orleans Attack

Thursday 02 January 2025 - 08:33

In a statement released Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump controversially linked illegal immigration to the tragic attack in New Orleans that left at least ten dead and 35 injured in the city's famed French Quarter.

According to the police, a man "determined" to cause "mayhem" for the New Year’s celebration drove his vehicle into a crowd. An investigation has since been launched into the possibility of the attack being classified as a "terrorist act."

The incident occurred just weeks before the transition of power between the Democratic President Joe Biden and his successor, the Republican Trump, amid an increasingly tense political climate.

The suspected perpetrator of the attack, who had fled the scene after a shootout in which two police officers were injured, was later confirmed dead by the FBI. While President Biden condemned the attack, emphasizing that "nothing justifies violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any assault on our citizens," Trump took a more pointed approach.

Known for his hard stance on illegal immigration, Trump suggested that the millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. were connected to this tragic event. On his social media platform, Truth Social, he stated, "The criminals arriving (in the U.S.) are far worse than the criminals we have in our own country."

The attack occurred in the iconic French Quarter, a vibrant area known for its restaurants, bars, jazz clubs, and nightlife. This district, which has the feel of a French colonial town, also hosts cabarets and LGBT+ gathering spots.

Louisiana’s conservative Governor, Jeff Landry, condemned the "atrocious act of violence" and announced a medical center where the victims' families could receive the latest updates on their loved ones' status.

The tragic events in New Orleans have reignited the national debate over immigration and its implications, casting a shadow over an already polarized political moment in American history.