From left: Kash Patel, Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard (Reuters)
Republicans in the Senate were already eager to quickly push through Trump's selections, including Kash Patel for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense. But with the latest attack and others developing around the country, many lawmakers have indicated that a prompt confirmation process is even more crucial.
Incoming Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., wrote on X, "The U.S. Senate must confirm President Trump’s national security team as soon as possible. Lives depend on it."
New Orleans police and federal agents investigate a suspected terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year's Day. (Chris Granger/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., expressed frustration that the FBI was apparently behind on intelligence regarding the suspect in the New Orleans attack.
"The fact that a reporter has better intel than the FBI tells us all we need to know. The FBI has failed its core mission," the senator wrote on X in response to a report that New York Post reporters had arrived at the suspect's home before the agency.
"America needs a fearless fighter like [Patel] at the FBI," Blackburn continued.
Blackburn is a top supporter of Trump pick Kash Patel for FBI director. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images/File)
Two sources on an FBI call with House and Senate members on Thursday informed Fox News that the FBI claimed they had zero intelligence on suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar before the attack.
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The FBI told lawmakers that Jabbar was "inspired" by ISIS but added that they have no evidence yet that the terrorist group directed him.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lives-depend-it-republicans-push-prompt-trump-confirmations-wake-new-orleans-attack