Cabot Phillips

Well, first, investigators say the man responsible, Shamsu Dinjabar, was wearing a pair of meta glasses equipped with a camera that could have allowed him to film a firsthand account of his attack. He also wore those glasses on a number of earlier visits to the French Quarter. It's believed he used footage gathered then to help plan out his attack.

Well, first, investigators say the man responsible, Shamsu Dinjabar, was wearing a pair of meta glasses equipped with a camera that could have allowed him to film a firsthand account of his attack. He also wore those glasses on a number of earlier visits to the French Quarter. It's believed he used footage gathered then to help plan out his attack.

We're also learning more about Jabbar's background. According to investigators, the 42-year-old from Houston originally contemplated attacking an ex-wife and other family members. but ultimately decided on a terror attack to focus on, quote, the war between the believers and disbelievers of Islam, that is. Tabar's brothers say he was raised Muslim but left the religion as an adult.

We're also learning more about Jabbar's background. According to investigators, the 42-year-old from Houston originally contemplated attacking an ex-wife and other family members. but ultimately decided on a terror attack to focus on, quote, the war between the believers and disbelievers of Islam, that is. Tabar's brothers say he was raised Muslim but left the religion as an adult.

However, investigators say he returned to Islam in recent years. But it's not yet clear how or when he became radicalized. At that point, investigators are taking a very close look at a month-long trip he took to Egypt in 2023.

However, investigators say he returned to Islam in recent years. But it's not yet clear how or when he became radicalized. At that point, investigators are taking a very close look at a month-long trip he took to Egypt in 2023.

Yeah, in the hours before the attack, Jabbar posted videos online proclaiming his support for the terror group, which he says he had joined, quote, before this summer, according to the FBI. So there's no doubt he pledged allegiance to and at least took inspiration from the group.

Yeah, in the hours before the attack, Jabbar posted videos online proclaiming his support for the terror group, which he says he had joined, quote, before this summer, according to the FBI. So there's no doubt he pledged allegiance to and at least took inspiration from the group.

But the big question now for investigators is whether Jabbar had ever communicated directly with ISIS or received any sort of help in planning. Remember, initially, the FBI indicated there were as many as four other suspects who may have planted explosives around the city that understandably set off a frenzy in New Orleans.

But the big question now for investigators is whether Jabbar had ever communicated directly with ISIS or received any sort of help in planning. Remember, initially, the FBI indicated there were as many as four other suspects who may have planted explosives around the city that understandably set off a frenzy in New Orleans.

But those claims were eventually walked back after investigators determined those individuals were not involved. But investigators still say just because no one was present with him during the attack doesn't mean he was a true lone wolf attacker. Here's Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, former chair of the Homeland Security Committee on ABC Sunday.

But those claims were eventually walked back after investigators determined those individuals were not involved. But investigators still say just because no one was present with him during the attack doesn't mean he was a true lone wolf attacker. Here's Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, former chair of the Homeland Security Committee on ABC Sunday.

Right. While ISIS was largely eradicated under President Trump's first term, the group has slowly rebuilt in recent years, claiming responsibility for numerous terror attacks around the globe in 2024. And national security experts have been warning in recent months that the turmoil in Syria could well open up a dangerous power vacuum that allows ISIS to regain an even larger foothold.

Right. While ISIS was largely eradicated under President Trump's first term, the group has slowly rebuilt in recent years, claiming responsibility for numerous terror attacks around the globe in 2024. And national security experts have been warning in recent months that the turmoil in Syria could well open up a dangerous power vacuum that allows ISIS to regain an even larger foothold.

So as President Trump prepares to take office, he'll be faced with a seemingly resurgent ISIS. Now, the big question will be how aggressive of an approach he takes. As I mentioned, he's certainly shown a willingness to go after these groups hard, but he did campaign largely on staying out of the Middle East in his second term. So some very big consequential decisions.

So as President Trump prepares to take office, he'll be faced with a seemingly resurgent ISIS. Now, the big question will be how aggressive of an approach he takes. As I mentioned, he's certainly shown a willingness to go after these groups hard, but he did campaign largely on staying out of the Middle East in his second term. So some very big consequential decisions.

So investigators are working to piece together what exactly drove Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Army Green Beret, to set off that car bomb outside Trump Hotel in Vegas, which ended up killing himself and injuring seven others. Police say one of Livelsberger's devices contained a journal entry urging veterans and all Americans to, quote, wake up.

So investigators are working to piece together what exactly drove Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old Army Green Beret, to set off that car bomb outside Trump Hotel in Vegas, which ended up killing himself and injuring seven others. Police say one of Livelsberger's devices contained a journal entry urging veterans and all Americans to, quote, wake up.

regarding our government which he said was quote weak and only serves to enrich themselves he later allegedly added quote this was not a terrorist attack it was a wake-up call

regarding our government which he said was quote weak and only serves to enrich themselves he later allegedly added quote this was not a terrorist attack it was a wake-up call