The Senate Judiciary Committee launched a comprehensive investigation into two separate incidents that occurred on New Year’s Day 2025: a terrorist attack in New Orleans that claimed the lives of 15 people and an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas that resulted in the death of the perpetrator. The investigation, spearheaded by Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Subcommittee Chairman Ron Johnson, aims to uncover the backgrounds, motivations, and potential connections of the individuals involved in these events. The committee has formally requested information from multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and the FBI. They have also sought data from Meta regarding the online activities of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the perpetrator of the New Orleans attack.
The New Orleans attack involved Jabbar, a Texas native and former U.S. Army soldier, driving a rented truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve on Bourbon Street. Jabbar, who expressed allegiance to ISIS in online posts, had a history of military service, including a deployment to Afghanistan. The investigation seeks to determine the extent of his radicalization, the timeline of his planning, and whether he received any support from others. The committee’s inquiry also extends to the absence of the FBI Special Agent in Charge from New Orleans during the attack, raising concerns about the agency’s preparedness and response. The FBI’s initial briefings to Congress failed to mention this absence, prompting further scrutiny from the committee.
The second incident under investigation involves Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a former Army master sergeant, who detonated a rented Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound prior to the explosion. The investigation aims to understand Livelsberger’s motivations and whether any factors contributed to his actions. His military background, including service at Fort Bragg and in Afghanistan, is being examined as part of the broader investigation. While the FBI has initially stated that there is no connection between the two incidents, the committee is exploring potential links, noting that both perpetrators had overlapping military service histories and rented vehicles from the same company, Turo.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to both the New Orleans attack and the Las Vegas explosion. The committee has emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability from the involved federal agencies. They are demanding detailed information about the perpetrators’ backgrounds, including their military service, online activities, and any potential contacts or influences that may have contributed to their actions. The investigation also scrutinizes the FBI’s handling of the New Orleans attack, particularly the absence of the Special Agent in Charge during the incident. The committee’s efforts are aimed at informing potential policy changes and enhancing national security measures to prevent future tragedies.
Central to the New Orleans attack investigation is Jabbar’s online activity, particularly his posts on Facebook expressing support for ISIS and his intentions. The committee has requested all relevant data from Meta to understand the extent of his radicalization, the timeline of his planning, and whether any warning signs were present online. The investigation also delves into Jabbar’s travel history, including trips to Cairo, Egypt, and Toronto, Canada, prior to the attack. Understanding his movements and contacts during these trips may shed light on his motivations and any potential connections to other individuals or groups. The committee is particularly interested in determining whether Jabbar acted alone or if he received assistance or encouragement from others.
The parallel investigation into the Las Vegas explosion focuses on Livelsberger’s background and motivations. The committee is examining his military service record, including his time at Fort Bragg and in Afghanistan, for any potential insights into his actions. Investigators are also exploring his personal life, seeking to identify any factors that may have contributed to the incident. The committee’s inquiry seeks to determine whether any warning signs were missed or if there were any failures in the systems designed to identify and address potential threats. Despite the FBI’s initial assertion that there is no connection between the two incidents, the committee is investigating potential links given the overlapping military service and use of the same rental car company by both perpetrators. The investigation aims to provide a complete picture of the events, ensuring accountability and informing future prevention efforts.
