Following the tragic New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, Senator Marsha Blackburn has sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray demanding answers about the agency's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. Blackburn expressed concern that the FBI's focus on DEI may be detracting from its core mission of protecting Americans.
The attack, which involved a truck plowing into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulted in 14 deaths and 30 injuries. The suspect, armed with multiple weapons and an ISIS flag, was killed in a shootout with police. Senator Blackburn's letter highlights the suspect's possession of these items and questions the FBI's preparedness to prevent and respond to such incidents.
The Senator cited a report by retired FBI agents suggesting a decline in the agency's capabilities due to a shift in hiring priorities. She also pointed to the creation of a Chief Diversity Officer position and a diversity-focused recruiting event as evidence of this shift. Blackburn specifically criticized the New Orleans FBI field office for highlighting bracelet collections on social media after the attack, suggesting a misplaced focus.
The letter includes a series of questions for Director Wray, including inquiries about the number of employees hired based on DEI initiatives, the funding of these initiatives, and the impact on counterterrorism efforts. Blackburn also questioned Wray's agreement with a statement by FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil that staff diversity is the agency's most valuable resource for keeping Americans safe.
The initial FBI response to the attack, characterizing it as not a terrorist event, was later contradicted by both the New Orleans mayor and subsequent FBI press releases. The releases confirmed the discovery of an ISIS flag in the suspect’s vehicle and classified the incident as an act of terrorism. Blackburn's letter concludes by requesting answers to her questions by January 10th and expressing concern that the FBI’s DEI agenda may have compromised national security.
