The FBI has denied reports that it will fire the agent in charge of the New Orleans terror attack investigation.
Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a Ford EV pickup truck through a crowd, killing 15 people on New Year’s Day. He was gunned down by police during a shootout.
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan sparked confusion when she contradicted Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who said the attack was terror related.
“Know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack. It’s all still under investigation,” Mayor Cantrell said during an early morning press conference on Wednesday.
But Duncan said the attack “was not a terrorist event.”
The FBI later confirmed that an ISIS flag was found on Jabbar’s truck after he carried out the deadly attack.
Critics were outraged that Duncan lied to the American people. But what angered critics even more was the presence of her nose ring, which violates the FBI’s dress code. Some critics said the nose ring was symbolic of the FBI’s lax hiring standards.
Hold up.
An FBI Agent with a nose ring who can barely speak coherent English sentences told the media that a terrorist driving a truck with an ISIS flag killing 10 Americans is NOT a terrorist attack!?!
Seriously. listen to this
We need Kash Patel NOW!pic.twitter.com/v2sjeJ2bcH
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 1, 2025
At another press conference later that day, Duncan’s nose ring was gone, her hair was styled and moisturized, and she wore more professional attire.
According to the FBI’s official dress code guidelines, agents are expected to maintain a professional appearance that does not include nose rings and hair twists. Exceptions are made on cultural or religious grounds, reflecting the agency’s DEI policies.
Under the leadership of current FBI Director Christopher Wray, DEI policies took priority over the agency’s professional standards.
Wray announced he will resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term on January 20.
