The Scene: Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the New Orleans New Year's Day attack, had a bomb-making station in his bedroom and a Quran open to a passage about martyrdom, new photos show.

The Details:

• Bomb-Making Setup: Jabbar's home in Texas was littered with chemical residues and bottles used for bomb-making, and FBI raid of the home revealed.

• Quran Passage: The Quran was left open to a verse about fighting and dying for Allah, suggesting his extremist mindset. The Quran was propped atop a bookshelf, open to a passage reading, “they fight in Allah’s cause, and slay and are slain; a promise binding…”

Why It Matters: This discovery paints a chilling picture of Jabbar's preparation and mindset, highlighting the radicalization process that led to the attack killing 14 and injuring dozens.

The Context: Jabbar drove an ISIS-flagged truck into revelers on Bourbon Street, then engaged in a shootout with the police, where he was killed. The FBI's investigation into his affiliations and motivations continues.

What's Next: The FBI is working to understand Jabbar's network and any broader implications for national security regarding lone wolf attacks inspired by ISIS ideology.

Johnson Wins Speakership Amid GOP Drama

The Big Picture: After a tense vote, Mike Johnson has secured the House Speaker position for the 119th Congress, overcoming resistance from a few GOP holdouts despite Trump's endorsement.

What Happened:

• First Ballot: Johnson clinched the speakership on the first ballot, garnering 218 votes, just enough to win with the narrow GOP majority.

• Key Moments: Initially, three Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie, Ralph Norman, and Keith Self — voted against Johnson. But after some backroom discussions, Norman and Self flipped their votes, ensuring Johnson's victory.

• Drama: The vote had been closely watched due to internal GOP dissent, with fears that even a handful of defections could have led to a repeat of the drawn-out speaker election process seen in previous years.

The Backlash:

• Holdouts: Rep. Thomas Massie was the lone Republican to stick to his guns, voting for another candidate.

• Trump's Influence: Despite Trump's backing, there was significant resistance, highlighting the limits of his influence over the party's far-right faction.

Reactions:

• GOP Reaction: Some Republicans expressed concerns about Johnson's ability to lead the party in line with Trump's agenda, with Rep. Chip Roy warning of "many members beyond the three who voted for someone else" having reservations.

• Democratic Response: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted the "GOP Civil War," suggesting the internal strife was far from over.

What They're Saying:

• Johnson: Post-vote, Johnson aimed to project unity, stating, "The people's House is back in business."

• Trump: Trump celebrated Johnson's win on Truth Social, emphasizing it as an "unprecedented Vote of Confidence."

Allstate Faces Backlash Over Outrageously Woke Sugar Bowl Ad

The Big Picture: Allstate Insurance is under fire after its CEO, Tom Wilson, used the platform of the Sugar Bowl to deliver a message many have criticized as "woke," suggesting Americans suffer from an "addiction to divisiveness and negativity."

What Happened: 

• Context: The Sugar Bowl, sponsored by Allstate, was postponed due to a terror attack in New Orleans, where at least 14 were killed.

• The Ad: In a pre-game message, Wilson said, "We also need to be stronger together by overcoming an addiction to divisiveness and negativity," urging viewers to join Allstate in promoting positivity and acceptance.

• Reaction: This statement sparked significant backlash on social media and from public figures, including Elon Musk, who simply commented, "Wtf is wrong with this guy."

The Backlash:

• Public Figures: Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA lambasted the message as inappropriate in light of the recent terror attack, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott called it "crazy."

• Social Media: Users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed outrage, with some vowing to cancel their Allstate policies, likening the potential backlash to the Bud Light boycott of 2023.

• Political Reaction: Senator Marsha Blackburn and others criticized Allstate for not explicitly condemning terrorism in its message.

Allstate's Response:

• Statement: Allstate clarified that CEO Tom Wilson "unequivocally condemns this heinous act of terrorism and violence in all forms," emphasizing the broader message was about fostering trust and positivity.