The FBI's initial mischaracterization of the New Orleans New Year's Day attack as "not a terrorist event" has sparked criticism and calls for greater accountability within the agency. While the FBI later acknowledged the incident as an act of terrorism, the initial statement by Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan contradicted the mayor's assessment and raised concerns about the agency's communication and transparency.

Despite multiple inquiries from Fox News Digital, the FBI has not commented on whether Duncan will face disciplinary action. This silence has further fueled criticism, particularly from conservative lawmakers and Trump allies, who argue that the agency's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has come at the expense of its core mission of fighting crime.

Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker believes this incident underscores the urgent need for reform under the incoming Trump administration. Parker emphasizes the importance of increased accountability and transparency within the FBI to prevent similar communication breakdowns in the future.

The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Army veteran, was killed in a shootout with police after driving a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street. The FBI has confirmed that Jabbar had an ISIS flag in his vehicle and was "inspired" by the terrorist group, though they have not found evidence of direct involvement.

This incident comes amidst growing scrutiny of the FBI under the Biden administration. Critics point to a series of perceived missteps and scandals that they believe have eroded public trust in the agency. A source close to President-elect Trump stressed the importance of confirming Kash Patel as FBI director to address these concerns and ensure the agency's effectiveness in protecting national security.