GOP senators question FBI and Meta over New Year’s terrorist attack- Washington Examiner
On January 1, 2023, a terrorist attack in New Orleans resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, prompting top Senate Republicans to demand more transparency from federal agencies and the social media platform Meta regarding the incident. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Permanent Subcommittee on investigations Chairman Ron Johnson announced a congressional investigation into the attack, which has raised meaningful concerns and questions about security and dialog surrounding the event. They seek to ensure that the public is informed about the details of the attack and any potential links to broader threats.
GOP Senate leaders question FBI and Meta over New Year’s Day terrorist attack
Top Senate Republicans called on federal agencies and Meta to provide the public with more information surrounding the deadly attacks that stunned the country on New Year’s Day.
On Thursday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) launched a congressional investigation into the New Orleans terrorist attack that killed 14 people and the Cybertruck bomber who attempted an attack outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The investigation comes after the lawmakers wrote letters to the FBI and the departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense requesting more data about ISIS-inspired New Orleans attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar and Las Vegas perpetrator Matthew Livelsberger.
“The public deserves complete transparency and the truth regarding the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas car explosion,” the lawmakers wrote in their letters to the federal agencies. “While we understand the investigation into both of these incidents is ongoing, we expect your agencies to be forthcoming and responsive to oversight requests from Congress on this very serious matter.”
Since the letters went out on Tuesday, the FBI has confirmed whistleblower disclosures that the FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office was “on vacation” during the New Year’s attack, the senators said as they called for further information to be released.
The senators additionally urged Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to release records of Jabbar’s Facebook activity leading up to his attack on New Orleans.
According to the FBI, Facebook took down five videos Jabbar posted to the platform on the day he carried out the New Orleans attack stating that he had joined ISIS and wanted to harm his family and friends.
“How and when did Meta become aware of Jabbar’s posts on Jan. 1, 2025, to his Facebook account?” the lawmakers questioned. “What is the process by which Meta monitors Facebook posts for harmful or threatening content? What is the process by which Meta monitors Facebook posts for terrorist propaganda?”
Jabbar also wore Meta smart glasses to scope out the area where he carried out the attack and during the incident itself, per the FBI.
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