FBI Reassigns Agent Following New Orleans Terrorism Misstatement

Following the tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan faced backlash for her statement that the incident was 'not a terrorist event.' Her comments contradicted the New Orleans mayor's classification of the attack, which resulted in 14 fatalities and was later confirmed by the FBI, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and President Biden as an act of terrorism. Duncan has since been temporarily reassigned, although the FBI has not provided details regarding her new position. The attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was identified as having connections to ISIS and used explosives in the assault. The incident highlights the challenges authorities face in accurately communicating the nature of such events in their immediate aftermath. The investigation into the attack is ongoing as officials continue to examine the perpetrator's motives and affiliations.