The terror attack in New Orleans and the cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas underscore the very real safety concerns in America that have escalated to unprecedented levels. On New Year’s Day, a US Army veteran with an Islamic State flag killed 15 by driving into the celebrating crowd, just hours before another veteran detonated a Cybertruck packed with explosives outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel. These acts of violence, chillingly reminiscent of war zones, were not just random; they were deliberate, calculated attacks on our soil.
Both attackers were former US Army personnel. The New Orleans assailant, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was described as “hellbent” on causing maximum carnage. He died in a firefight with police after the attack. The Las Vegas suspect, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, had connections to the same military base as the New Orleans attacker, though direct links between the two have yet to be confirmed.
Their methods—both using vehicles rented from Turo—suggests premeditation and raises disturbing questions about the ease with which such deadly plans can be executed. In the face of public outrage, federal authorities are now desperately trying to piece together other potential connections between the attackers, showcasing a scramble to salvage some semblance of competence in their investigations. Americans need to know whether these attacks are isolated or a preview of more to come.
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, these incidents should galvanize our resolve. We must bolster our defenses, reevaluate our intelligence strategies, and ensure that those who wish us harm find no quarter to plan their atrocities. It’s time to say enough: no more degradation of our national security, no more violent attacks on our leaders, and no more capitulating to terrorists. We need transparency in the investigation of these attacks and assurance that Americans are not kept in the dark. The time for complacency is over.
