Shapiro Warns Against Ignoring Radical Islam Threat After New Orleans Attack

The deadly New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans has reignited critical discussions about the growing threat of radical Islamic terrorism. In a response to the tragedy, Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro urged Americans to confront the reality of the threat and address flaws in immigration policies that could enable such violence.

The attack, carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, claimed the lives of at least 10 people and injured dozens more in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd of revelers before being killed by police. Authorities later found an ISIS flag in the vehicle, along with weapons and suspected IEDs.

Key Details Unveiled by Authorities:

• Terrorist Ties: The FBI confirmed Jabbar’s connection to ISIS, citing the group’s vast online recruitment network as a possible influence.

• Weapons and Explosives: Investigators discovered potential IEDs in Jabbar’s truck and other parts of the French Quarter, prompting bomb squads to assess and neutralize the devices.

• Southern Border Concern: Fox News reported that Jabbar’s truck entered the U.S. through the southern border in November, raising alarms about border security.

Shapiro addressed the nation’s failure to acknowledge radical Islamism as an ongoing threat, contrasting the attention given to other forms of domestic extremism:

“Pretending that away by suggesting that the real threat in America is ‘Right-wing’ white supremacism and has nothing to do with radical Islam is, of course, wish casting.”

He warned that this same denial has fueled instability in Europe, where governments have struggled to integrate populations with radicalized elements:

“The attempt to pretend away the problem of radical Islamism and its impact on the politics and the lives of the people is a big problem.”

Shapiro emphasized the need for serious reforms to America’s immigration system, asking critical questions about who should be allowed into the country:

• How well do applicants assimilate into American society?

• Are their values compatible with American principles?

• How vulnerable are they to recruitment by groups like ISIS?

The attack and its aftermath are likely to lead to significant shifts in public sentiment, especially as President Trump takes office, Shapiro predicted:

“One thing is for sure: things are about to change in the United States in a very significant way in regard to how Americans view all of these issues because President Trump is coming into power.”

The New Orleans attack is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by radical Islam and the need for decisive action to safeguard American lives.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to raise awareness of this urgent issue.