section_path: Reactions/Domestic
section_name: Domestic
paragraph_text: Domestic
  
  U.S. President Joe Biden contacted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer support and released a statement saying that his "heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday". Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, its majority leader Steve Scalise, and president-elect Donald Trump also condemned the attack.
  
  Troy Carter, who represents almost all of New Orleans in the U.S. House, said the attack was an "unspeakable act of violence" and commended the New Orleans Police Department for their work. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana's senior U.S. senator, called the attack "so tragic" and offered thanks to responding officers. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry expressed condolences to the victims of the attack and urged people to avoid the area.
  
  Just hours after the incident, Landry posted a photo of himself smiling and giving a thumbs-up with his wife and others outside a steakhouse in the city. He captioned the photo: "Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city. See everyone at the game tomorrow!" Social media users criticized Landry's response. In response to the criticism, Landry replied: "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 that New Orleans has to offer remain open for business!"
  
  Jeff Hundley, the director of the committee that organizes the Sugar Bowl, said the committee was devastated by the terror attack. The University of Georgia Athletic Association said they were "deeply saddened by the senseless violence that occurred in New Orleans", and University of Notre Dame president Robert A. Dowd said that " prayers are with the family members and loved ones of all those impacted by the terrible attack in New Orleans early this morning". UGA President Jere Morehead confirmed that one UGA student was injured in the attacks, and said he was deeply saddened and expressed gratitude for the first responders. The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans released a joint statement paying tribute to the victims and the city's resilience. The Pelicans held a moment of silence before their game on the same day against the Miami Heat. During the Sugar Bowl, a moment of silence was held before kickoff, followed by the crowd chanting " U-S-A! " after the national anthem.
  
  In Pasadena, California, a moment of silence for the victims was held during the Rose Parade. A year earlier, a rented Archer barrier had prevented a woman from driving her car into the 2024 Rose Parade.
  
  Superintendent Kirkpatrick expressly refused to cast blame when asked by a journalist whether she was upset that she had not known in advance about the city's Archer barriers. On January 3, 2025, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser criticized the city government in a statement for "a complete failure of responsibility to keep the city safe, from the top down, by not having those barriers in place or even having knowledge of them". Local workers in the French Quarter interviewed by NBC News were appalled by the city's failure to deploy Archer barriers to block sidewalks before the attack. They also challenged the wisdom of the city's decision to replace the permanent bollards during the winter, the busiest season for the French Quarter.
  
  Within a few days, unknown persons had scrawled handwritten messages on the Archer barriers, such as "USE ME" and "DO NOT HIDE ME". In the meantime, Peter Whitford, the chief executive officer of Meridian Rapid Defense Group, traveled to New Orleans to assist the city with properly deploying Archer barriers. He told The Guardian: "We're here to help New Orleans get to the standard that it needs to get to".
  
  The National Football League expressed confidence that spectators and participants alike would have a safe and enjoyable experience at the Super Bowl. The NFL and Saints also provided a $1 million donation to help the families of the victims as well as a league-wide moment of silence for all week 18 games.
  
  The truck's owner said that the FBI had instructed him not to publicly talk about the matter. His wife said she and her husband were devastated and offered condolences.
  
  The husband of Jabbar's ex-wife said Jabbar's daughters were distraught. Jabbar's brother told reporters that when he was questioned by the FBI, "They want to know why he did this. I could not give them an answer. That's not the brother I know." Of the videos recorded by his brother, he said, "It's just hard to believe – it's insane. It's unlike him." He sat down with Beaumont's KBMT-TV for an extensive interview, saying that "he lost his brother" adding that "he caused so much damage and destruction to other people." Following his death's announcement, he dropped his phone and began breaking down in tears before his aunt called him and told him his brother was responsible for the attack.
  
  The Islamic Society of Greater Houston expressed its condolences to the victims of the attack, saying it was "horrified by the senseless crime targeting civilians" and that "ISGH has a longstanding absolute zero-tolerance policy against extremism and suspicious activities."
  
  A small private funeral for Jabbar was held on February 2, 2025 in Houston.