Staff Reports
Amid the revelry of ringing in the New Year, America woke up to a stark and chilling reality: two apparent terrorist attacks unfolded on January 1, 2025. The first incident rocked the streets of New Orleans, where a horrifying act of violence claimed at least 15 lives. The second occurred in Las Vegas, sending shockwaves through the Strip with an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel. The response from the White House, however, raised more eyebrows than flags.
In New Orleans, a man named Shamsud Din Jabbar took it upon himself to turn a festive celebration into a scene of chaos. He drove a pickup truck into a crowd, leaving numerous injuries in his wake. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas explosion killed one and injured seven others, prompting law enforcement to treat it as a potential act of terror. In a time when immediate and decisive leadership is paramount, questions swirled: where was President Joe Biden?
As the nation collectively held its breath, political figures rushed to respond, each trying to navigate the tension of the moment. Yet, Biden’s absence was palpable. It took until the late evening hours for him to finally step out from Camp David, donning a tired demeanor and delivering a speech that many felt was far too little and much too late. A day of crisis warranted a strong and immediate response, not a lackluster script read off a teleprompter.
His remarks, devoid of urgency, merely reiterated sentiments already expressed in a written statement earlier in the day. Biden condemned the attack in New Orleans, offered vague allusions to the Vegas incident, and praised first responders — all the while avoiding questions, effectively pulling a disappearing act as the public looked for reassurance and clarity. It was a stark reminder that when the going gets tough, Biden often seems MIA.
What Took You So Long, Joe?https://t.co/rHmGH3VJis
— RedState (@RedState) January 2, 2025
This pattern isn’t new for Biden. Critics have long pointed out his tendency to go AWOL during pressing national crises from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath to the catastrophic Maui wildfires. Time and again, vacations appear to take precedence over pressing matters of national security or natural disaster recovery, leading many to label him as a leader who is more interested in leisure than in leading.
With less than three weeks until a new administration takes charge, Americans are left hoping for a return to actual leadership. They are urged to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers. While the nation prepares for a change, the recent events serve as a stark reminder of the responsibilities of the highest office in the land and the need for leaders who take immediate action during moments of crisis rather than hiding behind scripted statements.
