‘Turned out to be true’: Donald Trump’s claim after New Orleans terror attack

President-elect Donald Trump has made a controversial claim after a suspected terrorist rammed through dozens of people in the US.

President-elect Donald Trump has made a series of false claims following a suspected terror attack in the US.

At least 15 people are dead and 35 more are injured after a man drove a pick-up truck into New Year’s revellers in the American city of New Orleans.

The incident is being treated, by law enforcement, as an act of terrorism.

The driver, who was reportedly killed in a firefight with police officers, has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an American-born citizen and military veteran who grew up in Texas.

Mr Trump immediately linked the horrific attack to illegal immigration, giving no evidence — before authorities made clear the suspect was American.

“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in the country … it turned out to be true,” Mr Trump posted on social media.

President-elect Donald Trump. Picture: Eva Marie Uzcategui / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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Mr Trump also claimed that the nation’s crime rate “is at a level that nobody has ever seen.” In fact, violent crime is sharply down across the country, according to the FBI.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that “there is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”

What we know so far

What happened? 

A US citizen drove a white Ford pick-up truck flying an Islamic State flag into throngs of people celebrating the New Year in the French Quarter, the Louisiana city’s most iconic tourist district, around 3.15am, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He crashed the vehicle, then opened fire and died in a shootout with police, who said he had driven with the aim of killing as many people as possible.

What is the toll?

At least 15 people were killed and more than 35 were wounded, said New Orleans police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. The assailant shot and wounded two police officers, who were described as being in stable condition.

What was the motive?

This was not immediately clear but the FBI said it was investigating the attack as a possible act of terrorism.

Officials say the pick-up truck was flying a black flag of the Islamic State group and that they had recovered two improvised explosive devices. The FBI said it believes the suspect may have had accomplices.

Without providing evidence, US President-elect Donald Trump linked the attack to illegal immigration. The FBI, however, said the suspect was an American citizen from Texas.

The driver was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an American-born citizen and military veteran who grew up in Texas.

What is the suspect’s identity?

The FBI named the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar and said he was a US Army veteran who was honourably discharged.

Where did the attack take place?

The car-ramming took place in the heart of the French Quarter, a historic district known for its vibrant night life with many bars, restaurants and a jazz venues.

The French Quarter and New Orleans in general are well known for the raucous pre-Lenten street party known as mardi gras.

The city was also hosting tens of thousands of people who came to see a major college football game called the Sugar Bowl, which has now been postponed by 24 hours.

One of those injured in the truck-ramming was a student at the University of Georgia, one of the teams due to play.

New Orleans is also scheduled to host the Super Bowl on February 9.

Originally published as ‘Turned out to be true’: Donald Trump’s claim after New Orleans terror attack