President Biden tells New Orleans 'you are not alone' during visit after deadly attack
President Joe Biden mourned with family members of victims and said the nation stands with them during a stop Monday night in New Orleans five days after a man killed 14 people when he rammed a truck into pedestrians on bustling Bourbon Street early New Year's Day morning.
"I know events like this are hard. The shock and pain is still so very raw," Biden said at an interfaith prayer service at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. "My wife Jill and I are here to stand with you, grieve with you, pray with you, let you know you are not alone. The rest of the nation is looking at you as well."
Biden, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, sat on a front-row pew during the emotional service alongside Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell as leaders of different faiths delivered sermons and prayers for peace and healing. The president appeared to tear up at one point during the service.
Names of the 14 people killed in the attack were read aloud and a candle for each carried and placed on a table at the front of the sanctuary. The first couple, on behalf of the nation, then placed a candle at the center of the table.
"If there's one thing we know, New Orleans defines strength and resilience," Biden said. "You define it, whether it's in the form of this attack, or hurricanes or superstorms. This city and its people get back up. That's the spirit of America as well."
Ahead of the service, the Bidens met with families of victims, survivors of the attack, two injured police officers and other law enforcement personnel during a private gathering at the cathedral.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has said 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. military veteran from Houston, acted alone carrying out what the FBI has labeled a terrorist attack.
Jabbar posted five videos on social media expressing support for the Islamic State terrorist group ISIS over the roughly hour and a half before the 3:15 a.m. CST attack, according to the FBI. An ISIS flag was found in the back of the truck. Jabbar placed two ice coolers with explosives along Bourbon Street, but the devices were not detonated.
Biden, who lost his first wife and daughter in a car crash five decades ago and his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015, referenced his own personal tragedies.
"It's not the same, but we know what it's like to lose a piece of our soul," Biden said. "The anger, the emptiness, the black hole that seems to be sucking you into your chest, the sense of loss, the questions of faith in your soul."
Shortly arriving in New Orleans, the Bidens stopped by the site of the attack on Bourbon Street and laid flowers at a shrine for victims. They stood in silence, heads bowed, as the president gave a sign of the cross with his hand.
In his remarks at the cathedral, Biden listed off descriptions of some of those killed in the attack: students who dreamed on becoming engineers and nurses, a star athlete who worked on Wall Street, another who helped coach small children, a warehouse manager, a fan of bluegrass music, and a cook engaged to get married.
Biden said the nation also stands with the 35 people injured in the attack and thanked first responders for their bravery. He said he's directed his administration to federal, state and local law enforcement to complete the investigation and provide any assistance that is needed.
"I know from some experience, it's hard," Biden said. "But I promise you, the day will come when the memory of your loved one ‒ when you pass that park, open that closet door, smell that fragrance, just remember that laugh ‒ will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye.
"It will take time. But I promise you, I promise you, it will come," he added. "My prayer is that that day comes sooner rather than later."
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.