“Happy New Year!” echoes through the streets and homes as the clock strikes midnight around America on Jan. 1. While partygoers drunkenly stroll the streets, others hope they avoid the New York City subways, the roads of New Orleans, stay far away from any nightclubs in Queens, NY and maybe turn off the news to avoid new presidential orders.
Most Americans hoped to have a smooth transition to the new year but the violence that ensued in only the first month of the year was astounding. Here is a breakdown of the unfortunate violence that has unfolded in only the first month of 2025:
New York City Subway Attacks
Toward the end of Dec. 2024, A woman was set on fire while on a subway train in Brooklyn and burned beyond recognition soon after, and a man was stabbed to death after a failed Queens robbery attempt. But, on New Year’s Eve, a man was randomly shoved in front of a Manhattan subway train, luckily only leaving him with a skull fracture.
The excessive amount of sudden violence has led to NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan. Spending $154 million, Hochul has created a plan where she will add 750 officers to the platforms and an additional 300 officers to patrol the trains.
New Yorkers have been left feeling anxious and unsafe in their city. These recent attacks have shaken the city during a difficult time. Living in constant fear has become an everyday thing for most Americans, but New Yorkers who use the subway daily have to deal with the ongoing worry of their lives while just trying to make it to work.
Louisiana Terrorist Attack
On New Year’s Day, as others celebrated in the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, Shamsud-Din Jabbar was preparing for the worst. Jabbar intentionally drove a pickup truck into the crowds partying down Bourbon Street. Leaving at least 14 killed and dozens injured, Jabbar later died in a shootout with the police.
The incident was considered an act of terrorism after the Federal Bureau of Investigations pointed out an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria flag being flown from the back of his truck. ISIS, nor any other foreign terror organization, has claimed any responsibility for the attack.
Later, authorities found Jabbar had posted videos on social media claiming his inspiration from ISIS and explaining his desire to kill.
Attacks such as these create a ripple within America and all around the world. Questions arise, leaving others scared of “Will it happen again?” “Was he working alone?” The feeling of everyday anxiety and worry of whatever attack may come next leaves Americans scared.
An attack outside of a nightclub in Queens
On Jan. 1 around 11 p.m., four individuals stood outside of Amazura Nightclub, approached a small group of people and began shooting.
According to officials, a private event occurred inside the club, celebrating the 17th birthday of Taearion Mungo. He was a 16-year-old fatally shot in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on Oct. 26, 2024. Among the crowd, there were three men and seven women all between the ages of 16-20, who were taken to nearby hospitals where officials said they were “expected to survive.”
Arrests or leads on the case have not yet occurred, other than that officials believe it may have been gang-related. All of the suspects wore facial coverings and ducked to avoid being recognized. The shooters escaped the scene in a car with New Jersey plates.
It was reported that there were around 16,576 firearm-related deaths, including suicides, in 2024 and 13.6 million firearms purchased. By New Year’s Day, there were already around 200 acts of gun violence in America and one school shooting.
The fight against proper gun control is not over. Americans have dealt with the repercussions of firearms for years and we continue to see the damage done by a flawed system. The “right to bear arms” is often a comeback when discussing gun control; taking away guns will not immediately cure all of America’s issues, but regulating the buying and selling of dangerous firearms can put a bandage over the issue.
President Trump’s Executive Orders
While President Trump was not committing an act of physical violence, the executive orders he signed were an act of violence on America’s democracy and its citizens who have found America as their home.
He executed many of his most damaging promises on day one, leaving some in the dust to be completed later on. Trump promised his supporters that on day one he would: implement a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico, end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of his presidency beginning, fuel the auto industry with American energy and launch the biggest deportation program in American history. These uncompleted promises are alongside his long-standing promise of lowering grocery prices immediately.
While most of his grocery list remained unfinished, on day one, he made it a point to sign off on the most damaging orders first: he signed an order to end birthright citizenship, separated America from the World Health Organization, revoked electric vehicle targets, reclassifying federal employees, declared a national border and national energy emergency, created a policy declaring only two genders – male and female, paused the TikTok ban, rescinded 78 Biden-era executive actions, pardoned Jan. 6 defendants and withdrew from Paris Climate Agreement.
Trump has put America in a battle with its constitution. He came into the White House with plans to destroy democracy. But strap in America, the year has only just begun.
