Full List of Republicans Who Called Canada Border Explosion a Terrorist Attack

A number of Republican figures, including members of Congress, were quick to falsely describe the incident at a bridge in the U.S.-Canada border as a terrorist attack before officials labeled it as such.

Two people died after a car crashed and exploded at the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge in New York as the vehicle was speeding towards Canada on the morning of November 22.

The incident resulted in both the U.S. and Canadian governments going into high alert over fears that the incident was a targeted attack amid ongoing domestic and foreign tensions, including Israel's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The FBI, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas have all since confirmed that there is no evidence that the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge is terror-related.

"FBI Buffalo has concluded our investigation at the scene of the Rainbow Bridge incident. A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials and no terrorism nexus was identified," a statement from the agency read. Gov Hochul also said that there is "no evidence of terrorism" in relation to the "horrible incident" at the border bridge, with Mayorkas adding there is "no indication of a threat" in relation to the incident.

In the aftermath of the crash, Fox News reported, citing unnamed sources, that the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge was an attempted terrorist attack. The network later retracted their story on their website and backtracked from the claims during television broadcasts.

A number of GOP figures also falsely suggested or hinted that the incident may have been a terrorist attack soon after the explosion in social media posts and interviews, often using it to criticize the Biden administration and its immigration and border policies. Several of these Republicans have been contacted for comment via email.

Ted Cruz

While sharing Fox News' reporting of the incident on X, formerly Twitter, the Texas Senator wrote: "This confirms our worst fear: the explosion at Rainbow Bridge was a terrorist attack. Both attackers are dead, and one law enforcement officer is injured.

"I am praying that officer makes a full recovery and is able to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family and loved ones. Thank you to our law enforcement officers who are remaining vigilant and working to protect Americans traveling for Thanksgiving."

Byron Donalds

The Florida congressman, who was one of a number of Republicans in the running to replace Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, wrote in a since-deleted X post: "Open borders, soft-on-crime policies, and bending a knee to the woke PC mob."

"Today's apparent terrorist attack must be a wake-up call to all Americans. Now—more than ever—we need a change in leadership in our nation," he said. "As authorities respond to this ongoing situation, I extend my prayers to all those impacted by this terror and pray for our great nation."

Rick Scott

The Florida Senator described the incident as "terrible" in a post on X. "This is terrible, and Ann and I are praying for the law enforcement and CBP agents responding to this attack," Scott added. "We know that threats against America are on the rise."

Anna Paulina Luna

The Florida representative also shared Fox News' reporting claiming the explosion at the bridge was terror-related on X, adding: "So it begins. We need to lock down the borders immediately. Full deportation efforts need to begin. The US does not need to be the world's hospitality suite any longer."

Vivek Ramaswamy

The Republican 2024 hopeful used the incident to attack his GOP primary rival, former New Jersey governor Christ Christie, after he criticized the entrepreneur for his suggestion to build a wall across the U.S.-Canada border.

"One month ago, Christie ridiculed me for demanding more security on the Northern Border: 'I don't think you've heard anyone who knows anything ask for that.' Well, it's radio silence from him today," Ramaswamy wrote. "The bipartisan establishment is filled with these clowns & it's pathetic."

In response, Christie said Ramaswamy had labeled the incident a terrorist attack "without any definitive proof" which is why he would be "such an awful president."
"Here's a hint for you: wait for the evidence and then make judgments. That's what any experienced leader would do," Christie said.

Cory Mills

The Florida congressman called for the closure of all land border crossing points in the wake of the explosion at Rainbow Bridge that the White House must "immediately secure borders and conduct full post blast analysis, intel reports, and prepare for follow on incidents.

"Probing attacks, a compromised or detected bomber, secondary trigger man, malfunction, or diversionary attack away from S. Border should not be out of consideration," Mills said,

Mills later posted a video on social media admitting he was mistaken in believing the crash at the bridge was terror-related, but the circumstances surrounding the incident "sent up a lot of red flags" and still called for the borders to be closed during the investigation.

Ronny Jackson

The Florida representative discussed the "early reports" that the crash was a terror attack while praising the response from Border Patrol.

"God bless our Border Patrol. Early reports are that this attack in New York was terror related and that two people have been killed by this reported car bomb," Jackson posted on X. "This is terrible news for our country, but not surprising to anyone based on the wide open borders we have had since Biden took office."

Andy Biggs

The Arizona congressman also used the incident at Rainbow Bridge to attack President Joe Biden and his policies.

"Praying for our CBP officials and first responders. Our borders are under attack and the Biden Administration continues to sit on its hands," Biggs wrote. "It's long past time to put Americans first."

Mike Kelly

The Pennsylvania congressman posted on X: "I'm incredibly alarmed by reports of an attempted terror attack at the U.S.-Canada border. For months, I've warned about the surge of suspected terrorists entering through our Northern border. We must greatly enhance border security at ALL of our borders, including the North."

In a follow-up post on Thursday, Kelly wrote: "I'm relieved to see an act of terrorism was not committed at the U.S.-Canada border. Thank you to the law enforcement and intelligence agency officials for working this case and for keeping us safe."

Claudia Tenney

The New York congresswoman posted on X that the "shocking" explosion on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara County is "a heartbreaking reminder that weak border security puts us all at risk."

Tenney later wrote that the situation was "still developing and there is a lot of false information on social media."

Kari Lake

The former Arizona gubernatorial hopeful, who is now running for the U.S. Senate, posted on X: "This may have been an attempted terror attack along our northern border. If so, our worst fears are being realized. Joe Biden is inviting this kind of chaos into our country. It was only a matter of time before bad people took him up on his offer."

In a follow-up post, Lake added: "Multiple outlets are walking back the initial reports of a terror attack While I mourn for the two men killed, I'm thankful this appears to have been a tragic accident The sad reality is that an attack on this country seems inevitable with our border crisis That MUST change."

Donald Trump Jr.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the eldest son of former president Donald Trump also appeared to reference the incident at the Rainbow Bridge.

"How bad will it have to get in our country before even Democrats decide it's probably not a great idea to import terrorists?" he wrote.

Update, 11/23/23, 10:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a follow-up post from Mike Kelly.