In the wake of two high-profile attacks in the United States, President-elect Donald Trump has harshly criticized the US government’s handling of national security. He accused the government of weakness and ineffectiveness. The attacks, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, have raised alarm over the nation’s safety. They have also drawn attention to the current administration’s response to growing threats from both domestic and international sources. Moreover, they highlighted concerns regarding the government’s preparedness to address these escalating dangers.
On January 1, 2025, a former US Army serviceman, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowded area on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The attack killed 15 people and injured many others. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation, suspecting terrorist links after they found an ISIS flag in the vehicle. New Orleans police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar as a “terrorist.” She suggested that the attack may be part of a larger, coordinated effort. Jabbar, aged 42, had no previous criminal record, raising questions about the factors that led to his radicalization.
Just a day earlier, in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel. The explosion killed one person and injured seven others. The explosion took place early on January 1. It prompted Tesla CEO Elon Musk to comment that the incident “appears likely to be an act of terrorism.” Musk further noted that both the Cybertruck and a similar incident involving an F-150 truck in New Orleans were rented from the car-sharing service Turo. This raised suspicions of potential links between the attacks.
Reacting to these incidents, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his frustration with the US government’s response. He labeled the country as a “disaster” and a “laughing stock all over the world.” Trump pointed to what he termed as “open borders” and “weak leadership” as major contributors to the attacks. According to Trump, the current administration’s inability to control borders has created an environment where terrorist acts could easily take place. He also stated that the administration’s focus on political infighting, rather than national security, has contributed to this situation.
Trump was particularly scathing in his criticism of the Justice Department and the FBI. He accused them of being more interested in attacking him and other political opponents than in safeguarding Americans. “They are incompetent and corrupt, having spent all of their waking hours unlawfully attacking their political opponent, ME, rather than focusing on protecting Americans from the outside and inside violent SCUM that has infiltrated all aspects of our government, and our Nation itself,” Trump wrote. Furthermore, he directed blame at the Democrats, asserting that their leadership was to blame for allowing such attacks to occur.
The President-elect further called for the involvement of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to address the growing threat. “Only strength and powerful leadership will stop it,” Trump wrote, reiterating his campaign slogan, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” His remarks reflected growing frustration with what he sees as the erosion of safety, national security, and democracy in the US.
Both the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks are still under investigation. The country faces serious questions about how to tackle the increasing threat of terrorism and violence, both at home and abroad. The attacks serve as a grim reminder of the challenges the US faces. In a world where domestic and international threats are increasingly blurred, these challenges are growing. How the US government responds in the coming months will be critical in determining the nation’s future security trajectory.
The growing concerns over national security and leadership have left the American public divided. Many are questioning whether current policies are enough to prevent such attacks in the future. As Trump prepares for his inauguration, his remarks suggest that his presidency will prioritize national security and a tougher stance on terrorism. Whether or not his approach will be successful remains to be seen.
