Louisiana Governor Says He’s ‘Convinced’ New Orleans Is ‘Safe’ Ahead Of Sugar Bowl

Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said on Thursday that he’s “convinced” New Orleans is “safe” after a terrorist with an ISIS flag drove a truck through a crowded Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens more.

In an appearance on “Fox & Friends” Thursday morning, Landry was asked if he is concerned about more potential threats to New Orleans after Wednesday’s terror attack carried out by 42-year-old Texas native and Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar. As New Orleans prepares to host the Sugar Bowl on Thursday afternoon after the game was postponed due to the terrorist attack, Landry said it’s important for the city to go on without living “in fear.”

“I think one of the most important things is to make sure that each one of those victims, did not die in vain. All of them had come to the city in order to enjoy the city, in order to enjoy some entertainment and ring in the new year,” the governor said.

“Y’all had a guest earlier who was an eyewitness, who said the same thing is that: We can’t live in fear. We need to be able to live our lives,” he added. “And what we plan to do is ensure that as we remember those folks, that we put New Orleans back in a position where people can come and have a good time. We believe that the city – I’m convinced that the city is safe.”

Landry was criticized Wednesday night for posting a picture of himself with a group of people at a prime rib restaurant in New Orleans. The governor wrote, “Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city. See everyone at the game tomorrow!”

“It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical islamic terrorists,” Landry added. “Our restaurants and all New Orleans has to offer remain open for business!”

It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical islamic terrorists.

Our restaurants and all New Orleans has to offer…

— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 2, 2025

The governor’s comments on Thursday morning came after Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also told Fox News that she believes authorities have secured the city, but added that she would have delayed the Sugar Bowl until Friday.

“I do feel like the city is secure,” Murrill said. “But, you know, we have 16 people who are dead. Their families are grieving. We have at least 10 more that are clinging to life in the hospital. And, you know, I think that there’s a certain degree of respect that we owe to the dead and to their families and the victims, and to acknowledge and recognize that this is an open investigation into a terrorist event.”

Murrill added that the FBI has not provided her office with much information. The Sugar Bowl game between Georgia and Notre Dame was initially scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday and now has a scheduled start time of 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said that “hundreds” of law enforcement officers will line city streets for the Sugar Bowl.

“We are staffing up at the same level if not more so than we were prepared for Super Bowl,” Kilpatrick added.

FBI Assistant Special Agent In Charge Alethea Duncan said on Wednesday that the agency does “not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” adding, “We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associates. That’s why we need the public’s help.”