As the investigation into the Bourbon Street terror attack continues, the FBI agent who made a controversial statement about it in the immediate aftermath of the attack is back in the news.
RedState readers will recall that not long after the deadly rampage, which took place early morning on New Year’s Day and where 14 were murdered and scores more were injured at the hands of an apparent ISIS convert, the following statement was made by Alethea Duncan, the assistant special agent in charge at the FBI-New Orleans field office:
This is not a terrorist event. What it is right now is there improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if this is a viable device or not.
The New Orleans incident is “not a terrorist event” says FBI assistant special agent in charge, Aletha Duncan.
There have been “improvised explosive devices” found in the area, she adds.
The local mayor called it a “terrorist attack” moments before. pic.twitter.com/aauIieHNQp
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 1, 2025
READ MORE: FBI Already in Hot Water With Announcement on NOLA Attack
The FBI later clarified that it was in fact being investigated as a terrorist attack, clearing up the earlier confusion that started with Duncan’s original declaration.
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” they said in a statement at the time.
Though she has been giving periodic updates on the investigation in the days and weeks after the attack, on Friday it was reported that Duncan had been “temporarily reassigned”:
Multiple sources tell Fox News that FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan has been temporarily reassigned following her initial press conference in which she stated: “This is not a terrorist event.”
It was terrorism.
After the original presser, the FBI put out a statement using the word “terrorism.” Attorney General Merrick Garland and President Biden also used the word “terrorism” in their statements.
No other details were offered about Duncan’s new position, but she is still with the FBI.
NEWS: FOX News has learned per multiple sources that Assistant Special in Charge Alethea Duncan from FBI New Orleans has been temporarily reassigned following her initial press conference in which she stated: “This is not a terrorist event.”
It was terrorism. After the original…
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) January 17, 2025
As of this writing, no reason has been given for the temporary reassignment. But it would be hard to believe that Duncan’s remarks after the attack didn’t factor into the decision in some measurable way considering the embarrassment it caused the already-embattled agency at a time when few trust it (and for good reason) and so many are questioning its priorities.
Further, there will soon be a new sheriff in town, one who takes a much stronger line against terrorism (and bad-faith actors in American intelligence agencies) than the soon-to-be-former occupant.
I absolutely can’t wait to see what shake-ups await the FBI once President-Elect Trump takes office and once his nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, is (presumably) confirmed. Cannot wait.
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