Johnson, Scalise demand briefing after Hamas-linked arrest in Louisiana

First on Fox: House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise sounded an ultimatum to the Trump administration after the arrest of a man allegedly involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel in Louisiana.

Johnson and Scalise, both from Louisiana, led Republicans in their delegation in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the case of Mahmoud Amin Yaqoob Al-Muhtadi.

They requested a briefing from Bayou State lawmakers as well as information about any other potential terrorist threats, which they blamed on a record rise in illegal immigrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border under former President Joe Biden.

“go to hell!” A Hamas co-founder poses for a snapshot after being interrogated in October. 7 what follows

“We appreciate the work you are doing to keep Americans safe here at home and are writing to you as members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to request a briefing on how Mahmoud Amin Yaqoob Al-Muhtadi came to reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, after entering the United States in 2024 during the Biden administration’s dangerous open border policy,” the Louisiana lawmakers wrote.

They cited public information and reports that “al-Muhtadi allegedly participated in Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, and that he entered the United States the following year after incorrectly concealing his affiliations on his visa application.”

“He was later found living and working in Lafayette, Louisiana, before being taken into custody by federal authorities,” they wrote. “We would also like to be aware of any additional terrorist threats to our state due to President Biden’s dangerous and deadly immigration policies.”

Louisiana Republican Representatives Julia Letlow and Clay Higgins, as well as Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, also signed the letter.

Mahmoud Amin Yaqoub Al-Muhtadi, shown at left, “crossed into Israel with the intention of assisting in the Hamas terrorist attack” on October 7, 2023, according to the FBI. (Ministry of Justice)

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

A press release issued by the ministry accused the 33-year-old of being part of the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Gaza-based group that says it participated in the attack alongside Hamas.

Israel’s secret campaign targets Hamas terrorists behind the October 7 massacre

“As described in the documents filed yesterday, on October 7, when Al-Muhtadi learned of the brutal attack that had begun on Israel and civilians from multiple countries, including the United States, he moved quickly,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said.

He added: “He armed himself and recruited additional thieves, then entered Israel, where there is evidence that he is near one of the most affected Israeli communities.”

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Multiple cases have been reported of people suspected of terrorism entering the country under the surveillance of the previous administration.

In March of last year, border agents in Texas arrested a 22-year-old linked to Hezbollah, and he was immediately taken into federal law enforcement custody, according to the New York Post. He was deported earlier this year.

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