Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), Trump’s incoming national security adviser, argued that the attack underscores how critical it is for the new national security team to be in place as soon as possible, calling the period ahead of the transfer of power a moment of “vulnerability.”

“That has to be in place day one, guys, because this is a — this is a moment in transition, of vulnerability, and President Trump is going to project because he is a leader of strength, the narrative that we project on day one will be … important, and that’s having our people in place,” Waltz said during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Thursday.

Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on terror attack: “This is why getting President Trump’s cabinet in is so important.”

pic.twitter.com/29TCiBx47f

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 2, 2025

Walz, whose position does not require Senate confirmation, urged senators to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as secretary of state, Kash Patel as FBI director, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) as homeland security secretary and John Ratcliffe as CIA director. 

As officials learn more about the 42-year-old suspect who had an ISIS flag in his vehicle, Senate GOP leadership is stressing the importance of expedited confirmation of Trump’s team. 

“The threat posed by ISIS will outlast this administration, and this is a clear example of why the Senate must get President Trump’s national security team in place as quickly as possible,” wrote Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the incoming Senate majority leader, on Wednesday.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the senseless terror attack in New Orleans. With reports of ISIS inspiration, the American people expect clear answers from the administration. The threat posed by ISIS will outlast this administration, and this is a clear example of why…

— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) January 2, 2025

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the incoming No. 2 Senate Republican, echoed a similar sentiment hours after the attack.

“The U.S. Senate must confirm President Trump’s national security team as soon as possible. Lives depend on it,” Barrasso wrote Wednesday on X.

Another incident in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck that carried fireworks and camp fuel canisters exploded in front of the Trump hotel, injuring seven, is also adding to the urgency. The man inside the truck that exploded was an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Katie Britt (R-AL) and incoming Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Jim Banks (R-IN) relayed similar messages along with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who has worked to facilitate meetings between Trump appointees and Republican senators.

Of all of Trump’s national security nominees — Hegseth, Gabbard, and Patel are expected to face the toughest confirmation hearings. 

Gabbard, a former four-term Democratic lawmaker, has faced criticism over her previous comments about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a 2017 meeting with now-exiled Syrian leader Bashar Assad. Hegseth has faced questions over a 2017 allegation of sexual assault, drinking problems, and his handling of veterans organizations as well as scrutiny of his previous opposition to women serving in combat roles in the military. He has denied those accusations and recently said that he supports women serving in combat roles.

Patel, a Trump loyalist who shares the president-elect’s skepticism of the FBI, is also expected to face tough questions about his views that the bureau should be radically overhauled and previous comments in which he vowed to “come after” journalists. However, Patel has faced little public skepticism from Republican senators.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) expressed frustration with the FBI’s handling of the New Orleans attack, directly appealing to her colleagues to confirm Patel. 

“The tragic terror attack that killed innocent people in New Orleans is a stark reminder of the importance of strong leadership,” Blackburn wrote on X. “America needs a fearless fighter like @Kash_Patel at the FBI.”

The tragic terror attack that killed innocent people in New Orleans is a stark reminder of the importance of strong leadership.

America needs a fearless fighter like @Kash_Patel at the FBI.

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 1, 2025

The aftermath of the terrorist attack has given some Republicans in the Senate reason to believe that there may be more cooperation within their ranks.

“I think everyone understands the gravity of the situation right now during this transfer of power — and the concern that comes with it,” said a GOP senate aide speaking on the condition of anonymity in an effort to reflect candidly. “I think many of us have more reason to believe that most of the conference is going to do everything they can to ensure Trump has his team in place as quickly as possible.”

“If I had to guess today, I’d say Gabbard is the most at risk of not being confirmed. But, I do think Hegseth will face a lot of questions about the radicalization of our U.S. military and I would hope he is going to be prepared to answer questions about that,” the person added.

Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14 and Gabbard’s is also expected to take place that week. However, Patel’s hearing is up in the air since the Judiciary Committee must confirm attorney general and deputy attorney general nominees first.