President Joe Biden visited New Orleans on January 7, 2025, to honor the victims of a deadly New Year’s attack. Standing in St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter, he reassured mourners that they are not alone in their grief. Biden met privately with survivors, first responders, and the victims’ families, offering personal words of comfort. Reflecting on the city’s resilience in the face of past tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, Biden spoke about how New Orleans “gets back up.”
The attack, which occurred on Bourbon Street, saw an Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, deliberately driving a truck into a crowd, killing 14 and injuring 30 others. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism linked to the Islamic State group.
Biden expressed deep empathy for the families, recalling his own experiences of loss. “We know what it’s like to lose a piece of our soul,” he said. He added that, in time, families would find solace in the memories of their loved ones. Before attending a prayer service, Biden visited a memorial at the site of the attack, where flowers and messages were left in honor of the victims.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has visited sites of tragedy, offering support to those affected by violence and natural disasters. The visit to New Orleans, one of his last trips of his term, was a poignant reminder of the personal toll such events take and the importance of community solidarity in the face of adversity.
Biden has directed additional federal resources for the city’s major upcoming events, including Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl, ensuring the highest security measures are in place to prevent further violence.
