President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to New Orleans on Monday afternoon following the New Year's terror attack that killed 14 people and left dozens more injured.
Even with a winter storm pushing in on Washington, the White House went forward with the planned visit — which will likely be the Bidens' last time traveling to the scene of a horrific tragedy while in office.
The Bidens on Monday visited a memorial to victims and later met with affected families and attended a prayer service.
"I've been there," President Biden told reporters over the weekend, about dealing with such personal grief. "There’s nothing you can really say to somebody that’s just had such a tragic loss."
President Biden and the White House have worked closely with city and state officials since the attack.
On Monday, the White House said the administration would send more federal support to prepare for Mardi Gras and for the NFL's Super Bowl It may deploy bomb-sniffing dogs, air security and expand cybersecurity efforts to protect the popular events.
Meanwhile, federal agencies are investigating the New Years' Day attack, providing mental health and social support programs in the community and making loans available to businesses affected by the incident.
Officials in New Orleans released the names of most of the victims who suffered fatal injuries in the attack, with the exception of one person who they are still trying to identify and a British citizen whose family requested their name be withheld.
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The tragic scene unfolded in the city's French Quarter last week where many were celebrating New Year's on Bourbon Street.
A man identified as an Army veteran from Texas plowed through the street in a rented truck, before being fatally shot by police. The man had posted videos to social media prior to the attack proclaiming support for the Islamic State militant group, according to the FBI.
The victims in the attack range in age from as young as 18 years old to 63.
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According to The Associated Press, Biden often takes the opportunity during these solemn visits to speak behind closed doors with the families of victims and offer up his personal phone number in case people want to talk later on.
The White House said the Bidens will travel to California after their stop in New Orleans.
