NEW ORLEANS — On Monday, President Joe Biden addressed a gathering in New Orleans, assuring mourners that they are not alone in their grief as he honored the victims of a recent deadly attack that occurred on New Year’s. The President expressed his solidarity with the victims’ families during his visit to St. Louis Cathedral, located in the historic French Quarter, close to where an Army veteran had driven a truck into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuring 30 others.
Biden commended the bravery of those who rushed to help during the chaos, highlighting the efforts of first responders. He reflected on the resilience of the city’s residents in the face of tragedy, referencing previous challenges like Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “The people of this city get back up,” he stated, linking this determination to the essence of America.
Prior to the prayer service, Biden held private meetings with the affected families, survivors, and first responders. He paid a visit to a makeshift memorial at the attack’s site, which is currently under investigation for potential links to terrorism, reportedly inspired by the Islamic State.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has frequently visited locations affected by violence and disasters. With his visit to New Orleans being possibly his last such trip before the end of his term, he conveyed messages of empathy and understanding during his remarks. He related to the deep sorrow that families will experience at future holidays and significant moments, acknowledging the painful absence of their loved ones.
“We understand the grief that feels like a loss of part of your soul. The anger and the emptiness,” he remarked, explaining that in time, the memories of those they lost will bring comfort. “There will come a day when looking back will bring a smile before it brings tears,” he assured them.
The president and First Lady Jill Biden began their journey in the city with a visit to the memorial on Bourbon Street after which they shared a moment of silence, bowing their heads together in remembrance. During the public prayer service at the cathedral, a version of “Amazing Grace” was played, emphasizing the local jazz influence, while the Bidens lit a candle at the altar, with Biden closing his eyes in solemn reflection.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Biden views such visits as an integral part of his role as a leader. While addressing tragedy is indeed a heavy burden that falls on presidents, Biden has approached these moments with a profound sense of connection, drawing from his own experiences of personal loss, including the tragic deaths of his first wife, baby daughter, and eldest son Beau.
“I understand deeply the pain of such losses,” Biden noted, emphasizing that he prefers to engage with family members in a personal way whenever possible. He often offers emotional support during these encounters, sometimes providing his personal contact information for further communication.
After concluding his visit in New Orleans, Biden will head to California. His journey commenced under challenging weather conditions in Washington, as heavy snow forced Air Force One to take off from a hangar rather than the outdoor runway.
The attack in New Orleans took place on January 1 when the assailant, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a veteran citizen from Texas, careened his truck around a barricade into a crowded area on Bourbon Street before being fatally shot in an altercation with law enforcement. Jabbar had previously shared videos on social media pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and hinting at the impending violence.
Biden also made it clear during his visit that conspiracy theories surrounding the incident lacked validity and urged locals to dismiss such claims. “I was in contact with the intelligence community for nearly a full day to ascertain the facts of this tragedy. It has been confirmed that this was the act of a lone individual, not part of some larger conspiracy,” he stated firmly.
The victims of this tragedy ranged in age from 18 to 63, with a majority in their twenties, hailing from various places including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, and even Great Britain. In a discussion on a news program, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voiced his sympathies for both the victims’ families and those injured in the attack, stressing the importance of community support in the wake of such incidents.
He emphasized, “It’s vital that we not only support those affected but also strive to prevent future occurrences of such violence. We must continue to live courageously and with freedom.” Jean-Pierre highlighted that Biden is directing additional federal resources to bolster security measures for major events in the city, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl, ensuring that these events receive the highest level of federal support.
