Trump announces deployment of National Guard to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that National Guard forces will soon be deployed to New Orleans as part of a broader federal effort, coinciding with a planned immigration operation nicknamed Swamp Sweep expected to begin this week. The president did not specify the number of troops or the exact timeline for their arrival.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican and strong Trump supporter, had requested up to 1,000 troops in September to assist with crime prevention. He indicated that the National Guard could arrive before Christmas. Governor Landry a great guy has asked for assistance in New Orleans, and we will be there in a few weeks, Trump stated during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

Crime Concerns Drive Federal Intervention

Landry has cited rising violent crime as justification for federal assistance, despite local police reporting a downward trend in overall crime. In addition, he publicly supported the upcoming Border Patrol operation aimed at apprehending 5,000 individuals over the next several weeks. Critics argue that sending federal personnel is unnecessary, pointing out that New Orleans is on track for one of its safest years in decades.

In his September letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Landry highlighted high violent crime rates in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, as well as limited local law enforcement resources. He also mentioned that Louisianas susceptibility to natural disasters adds complexity and that additional support would be valuable for major events like Mardi Gras and college football bowl games. Lt. Col. Noel Collins, a Louisiana National Guard spokesperson, declined to comment on Tuesday.

While New Orleans recorded 266 homicides in 2022, a rate of 70 per 100,000 residents, recent years have seen significant declines in shootings, armed robberies, and carjackings. As of early November this year, the city reported 97 murders, indicating a potential historic low.

Local Officials Express Concerns

Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, a Democrat taking office in January, opposes the National Guard deployment and has raised concerns about potential civil rights violations. Outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell, also a Democrat facing federal corruption charges, previously stated that the city is willing to collaborate with federal authorities to maintain public safety. A spokesperson for Cantrell emphasized the citys cooperative history with the National Guard and law enforcement agencies.

Other local leaders have warned that federal troop presence could disrupt cultural events, including traditional brass band street parades, and strain community-police relationships. U.S. Representative Troy Carter, a Democrat from New Orleans, criticized the move as a political stunt that could cause confusion and safety risks due to the troops lack of local knowledge and training in community-based de-escalation.

Previous Deployments and Statewide Expansion

Earlier this year, 100 National Guard members were deployed after a deadly New Years Day attack on Bourbon Street. Governor Landry has also suggested extending federally funded National Guard support to Baton Rouge and Shreveport. In Baton Rouge, Republican Mayor Sid Edwards welcomed additional resources to address police shortages and gun violence, while in Shreveport, Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed willingness to cooperate but preferred state police over federal troops.

Louisiana joins other states where Trump has deployed or sought to deploy National Guard units, including Los Angeles, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Memphis. Democratic-led cities have sometimes pursued legal action to prevent such deployments, as seen in Chicago and Portland, Oregon.

Author: Sophia Brooks