Scalise Demands Briefing After Hamas-Linked Arrest in Johnson, Louisiana

First on Fox: Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., are sounding the alarm to the Trump administration after a man is allegedly involved On October 7, 2023, he was arrested in Louisiana in connection with a terrorist attack in Israel.

Johnson and Scalise, who are both from Louisiana, led the Republican Party in their delegation and in a letter they wrote to Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristy Noem about the case of Mahmoud Amin Yaqub al-Muhtadi.

He asked for information from Bayou State lawmakers as well as any other potential terrorist threats, which he blamed on a record increase in illegal immigration crossing the US-Mexico border under former President Joe Biden.

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Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise are leading the Louisiana Republican Party to demand answers about a suspected Hamas-linked terrorist arrested in their state last week. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; FBI affidavit; Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“We appreciate the work you are doing to keep Americans safe here at home, and as a member of the Louisiana Congressional delegation, we request that you provide information on how Mahmoud Amin Yaqub Al-Muhtadi came to live in Louisiana, Louisiana. Entry into the United States During the Biden administration’s dangerous open border policy in 2024,” the Louisiana lawmaker wrote.

They cited public information and reports that “al-Muhtadi is accused of taking part in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel and entered the United States the following year, falsely concealing his affiliation on his visa application.”

“He was later found to be living and working in Lafayette, Louisiana, before being taken into custody by federal authorities,” he wrote. “We want to be informed of any additional terrorist threats to our state as a result of President Biden’s dangerous and deadly immigration policies.”

The letter is signed by Louisiana Republicans Julia Letlow and Clay Higgins, as well as Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy.

On October 7, 2023, Mahmoud Amin Yaqub al-Muhtadi, shown at left, “traveled to Israel with the intention of assisting in a terrorist attack by Hamas,” according to the FBI. (Department of Justice)

The DOJ, which announced al-Muhtadi’s arrest late last week, said he entered the country on September 12, 2024 under false pretenses.

A press release from the department accused the 33-year-old of being part of the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), a Gaza-based group that took part in attacks alongside Hamas.

Israel’s covert operation targets Hamas terrorists behind the October 7 massacre

“As noted in documents filed yesterday, on October 7, when al-Muhtadi learned of a barbaric attack on Israel and the citizens of several nations, including the United States, he sprang into action,” said Assistant National Security Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said.

“He armed himself, recruited additional robbers and then entered Israel, where there is evidence that he was placed near the Israeli community that suffered the most.”

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was Many reported examples People suspected of having terrorist links are entering the country under the supervision of the previous administration.

In March of last year, a 22-year-old man with links to Hezbollah was caught by border agents in Texas and immediately taken into federal law enforcement custody. New York Post. He was deported earlier this year.

Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for a response but did not immediately hear back.