US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the National Guard will head to New Orleans, bringing another federal operation to the city that is already awaiting a crackdown on immigration that is expected to begin this week.
Trump did not say how many troops would be sent to New Orleans or exactly when they would arrive.
Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who asked the Trump administration in September for up to 1,000 troops to fight crime, told the National Guard to arrive in New Orleans before Christmas.
“The Gov
City police say crime is low
Landry, a staunch activist, said he welcomed the Democratic intervention in the Democratic-run New Orleans, concerns about crime rates raised by high crime even though local police officials say crime is low.
Separately, it was sent to the social media this week that “we welcome the flood to swim in Louisiana,” referring to the border of the US Murder Patrol-LED crackdown on walking that aims to arrest 5,000 people in 5,000 weeks.
Opponents say sending federal troops or agents to Louisiana is counterproductive, especially since other cities have seen a drop in violent crime rates — including New Orleans, according to statistics.
In September, Federal National Guard troops were sent to Louisiana. In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, it cited “high crime rates” in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport and a shortage of law enforcement personnel.
Landry also said the state’s vulnerability to environmental issues makes the debate more challenging, and more support would be helpful for major events, including football games and the College Botball Bowl.
Louisiana National Guard Lt. Col. Collins declined to comment Tuesday.
In 2022, New Orleans has the remarkable distinction of being considered the “state capital of the nation,” reporting the highest per-capita population in the nation. In the same year there were 266 murders – a rate of 70 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Three years later, however, shootings, gambling and armed robberies have subsided.
While there has been a spike in homicides in recent weeks, the city is on the verge of having its lowest number in nearly 50 years, according to crime data from the Police Department. In early November, the New Orleans Police Department reported 97 murders.
Democrats, city officials raise concerns
Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno, a democrat who took office in January, strongly rejected the idea of deploying the National Guard to the city and raised concerns about forced migration. He did not offer any comment on future shipments.
Mayor Latoya Cantreell, a Democrat facing federal corruption charges, previously said the city is open to working with the federal government to improve public safety.
A spokesman for Cantrell told reporters in a written statement that the city and its police have a “track record of working cooperatively” with state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Some new officials of the Orreans have warned that the forces could interfere with different cultural traditions, such as the usual group of Brass Parades in the streets known as second lines, or risk the difficult relationship between the communities and the police.
‘Fear, confusion and mistakes are dangerous‘
Rep. Troy Carter, a Louisiana Democrat who represents New Orleans, reacted strongly to the news that the federal agency was moving to his home state.
“New Orleans welcomes cooperation. We do not welcome work, Tuesday evening.
Carter went on to describe the deployment as a “political stunt” that causes “chaos” and lacks transparency and “meaningful coordination” with local officials.
“These forces are being watched by forces that are not trained in our local laws, that are not trained in civil disobedience, and they do not know our areas or our people,” he said.
“That’s a recipe for fear, confusion and dangerous mistakes.”
In January, members of the National Guard were deployed to the city to assist with security measures following the New Year’s Eve truck attack that killed 14 people and injured several Bourbon Street vendors.
Another sighting
In September, the world suggested that federally funded infantry troops should be sent to Baton Rouge and Shreveport, and on Monday indicated troops would be sent to cities outside of New Orleans.
In Baton Rouge, the capital, Republican mayor Edwards said this month that additional supplies could provide “much-needed boots on the ground” amid a police shortage.
A US Federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any unit of the National Guard in Oregon, including the California Guard. The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have also sued the Trump administration for its attempt to move the state’s national security forces to the state.
Although homicides are on the slowest decline since last year, the city has struggled with gun violence, with bystanders receiving gun modification devices. The latest multi-agency crackdown on violent crime resulted in more than 100 arrests and the confiscation of guns.
In Shreveport, Paiblican mayor Tom Arceneaux told women’s media in October that violent crime has decreased significantly. Arceneaux said he is willing to work with the state guard but would like to get the State Police instead.
Louisiana is the latest place where Trump has sent — or tried to send — national guard troops in recent months. Other cities include Los Angeles, Baltimore, Washington and Memphis, Tenn.
Leaders along Democratic lines have resorted to legal action to block planned deportations, such as in Chicago and Portland, Ore.
