Republicans slam Biden's weak border policies for Rainbow Bridge explosion at northern border DAYS after FBI Director Chris Wray warned threat of assaults on Americans reached a 'whole other level' in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war

Republicans quickly blamed President Biden's weak border policies following a vehicle explosion at the U.S. northern border with Canada. 

A car exploded on Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls on Wednesday, causing a massive explosion at a toll checkpoint that killed the vehicle's two occupants and injured a law enforcement official. The FBI Terrorism Task Force is investigating but officials are yet to confirm the motive.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said later that there was 'no indication' the explosion was the result of a terrorist attack.

The explosion at the norther border comes just days after FBI Director Chris Wray warned that the threat of attacks by foreign violent extremists on Americans reached 'a whole other level' following Hamas' bloody assault on Israel.

Wray said that since Hamas' horrific attack on Israel on October 7 killing over 1,400, foreign terrorist organizations have ramped up their rhetoric calling for attacks on the U.S. and its citizens.

Some Republicans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to blame President Biden's weak border policies for the event, which is still being investigated.

Rep. Paulina Luna, R-Fla., called for 'full deportation efforts' and for the U.S. to lock down its borders 'immediately.'

'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.' 

'Border security is homeland security and that mission never ends,' Rep. August Pfluger said. 

'Today’s shocking explosion on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara County is a heartbreaking reminder that weak border security puts us all at risk,' Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., posted.

She launched the 'Northern Border Security Caucus' with colleagues back in February to advocate for enhanced security at the United States' northern 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,' said Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote on X: 'Our borders are under attack and the Biden Administration continues to sit on its hands. It’s long past time to put Americans first.'

President Biden was briefed and is 'closely monitoring' the explosion event.

'The White House is closely monitoring the situation, law enforcement is on-scene and investigating,' a spokesperson for the National Security Council told DailyMail.com. 

Congressional leaders also continued to monitor the explosion, which was first labeled by law enforcement as a suspected terrorist attack. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he has requested a briefing on the explosion from officials.

'My staff and I are closely monitoring the explosion at the NY-Canada border, and communicating with NY delegation members on the ground. I’ve requested a briefing from the appropriate federal officials to gather all concrete information as soon as possible.'

'In the meantime, we are praying for the safety and well being of all responders at the scene,' Johnson wrote on X.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is 'closely monitoring the situation' on the Rainbow Bridge crossing. He thanked the 'brave first responders' who arrived first to the scene. 

House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who also represents New York, said she has been in 'immediate direct contact' with law enforcement and border patrol officials. 

'We will continue working to ensure all resources are made available to Northern Border law enforcement,' she added. 

Wray's warning last week was top of mind Wednesday in the aftermath of the explosion. 

'In a year when the terrorism threat was already elevated, the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole other level,' Wray told members of Congress last week during a hearing on worldwide threats.

'Hizballah expressed its support and praise for Hamas and threatened to attack U.S. interests in the Middle East. Al-Qaida issued its most specific call to attack the United States in the last five years. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula called on jihadists to attack Americans and Jewish people everywhere. ISIS urged its followers to target Jewish communities in the United States and Europe.' 

'Given those calls for action, our most immediate concern is that individuals or small groups will draw twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,' Wray stated in his opening remarks before the House Homeland Security Committee.

'That includes homegrown violent extremists inspired by a foreign terrorist organization and domestic violent extremists targeting Jewish Americans or other faith communities, like Muslim Americans.'