On Monday, President Joe Biden is heading to New Orleans to stand with the community after a heartbreaking tragedy. On New Year’s Day, a U.S. Army veteran drove a truck into a crowd, killing 14 people and injuring dozens. The nation has been shaken, and now, Biden wants to offer his support and comfort to those who are grieving.
Speaking from the White House on Sunday, Biden shared that if he could meet with the victims’ families, his message would be deeply personal. “They just have to hang on to each other,” he said, with a tone of empathy and understanding.
The man behind the attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was a 42-year-old Texas Army veteran. He had been dealing with a recent divorce but didn’t show signs of anger before the tragic event. Tragically, Jabbar died in a shootout with police, and authorities have confirmed that he acted alone. Despite his connection to extremist groups, Biden assured the public that this was the work of just one individual. The FBI confirmed the same, and Biden emphasized that the attack was rooted in mental health struggles, not a larger conspiracy.
This visit to New Orleans is just another example of President Biden’s long-standing commitment to helping communities heal after devastating events. Having personally experienced the loss of his first wife, daughter, and son, Biden knows the pain of grief all too well.
“I’ve been there,” he shared, speaking to the depth of his empathy. As he makes his way to New Orleans, Biden’s message is clear: in times of tragedy, it’s crucial to lean on one another, and to never lose hope.
