President Donald Trump has announced that National Guard troops are set to deploy to New Orleans soon, marking another significant federal intervention in a city already anticipating a major immigration enforcement sweep this week. This move comes at the request of Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who sought up to 1,000 troops in September to combat perceived high crime rates. Governor Landry indicated Monday that he expects the troops to arrive before Christmas, even though local police reports suggest a decline in violent crime.
Federal Intervention and Local Disagreement
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Trump confirmed his commitment, stating, "Gov. Landry — a great guy, a great governor — he's asked for help in New Orleans. And we're going to go there in a couple of weeks." However, specific details regarding the number of troops or their precise arrival date were not disclosed.
Governor Landry, a staunch ally of Trump, has consistently advocated for federal assistance in Democratic-led New Orleans, citing elevated violent crime. This stance sharply contrasts with data from local law enforcement officials who report a statistical decrease in crime. In his September letter to U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Landry highlighted "elevated violent crime rates" in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, alongside police personnel shortages. He also noted the state's vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for support during major events like Mardi Gras.
Adding to the federal presence, Landry recently welcomed a "Swamp Sweep" in Louisiana, referring to an imminent U.S. Border Patrol-led immigration crackdown targeting 5,000 individuals in the coming weeks.
City Officials and Democrats Raise Concerns
The proposed National Guard deployment has met strong resistance from New Orleans Democrats and city officials. Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, set to take office in January, has outright rejected the plan, expressing fears of rights violations stemming from federal immigration enforcement. While outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell's spokesperson stated the city's willingness to collaborate with federal and state agencies, other officials caution that troops could disrupt unique cultural traditions, such as the frequent brass band parades known as second lines, and potentially damage hard-won community-police relations.
Rep. Troy Carter, a Louisiana Democrat representing New Orleans, vehemently opposed the deployment, calling it a "political stunt" that breeds "chaos" due to a lack of transparency and coordination with local authorities. He warned of "fear, confusion and dangerous mistakes" from militarized forces unfamiliar with local laws, neighborhoods, and community-based de-escalation techniques.
New Orleans Crime Trends: A Shifting Narrative
Historically, New Orleans faced severe crime challenges, earning the dubious distinction of the "murder capital of the country" in 2022 with 266 murders. However, three years later, the city has seen a dramatic drop in shootings, carjackings, and armed robberies. Despite a recent uptick in homicides in recent weeks, police data shows New Orleans is on track for its lowest murder count in nearly 50 years, with 97 reported by early November. Opponents argue that federal intervention is unwarranted given this significant crime reduction.
Past Deployments and Legal Battles
This isn't the first time President Trump has sought to deploy National Guard troops to cities. Similar efforts in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, faced legal challenges and strong opposition from Democratic-controlled jurisdictions, with a U.S. federal judge even blocking a Portland deployment. In January, 100 National Guard members were temporarily sent to New Orleans following a deadly truck attack that killed 14 people on Bourbon Street.
Governor Landry has also suggested deployments for Baton Rouge and Shreveport. In Baton Rouge, Republican Mayor Sid Edwards acknowledged police shortages, while Shreveport's Republican Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed willingness to work with the National Guard but preferred state police officers instead, despite significant drops in violent crime in his city.
