National Guard deployment to New Orleans sparks debate as Trump backs Landry’s crime crackdown
- President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops to New Orleans at the request of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, citing rising violent crime and police shortages. The move follows similar federal interventions in cities like Los Angeles and Portland.
- While outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell supports federal collaboration, incoming Mayor-elect Helena Moreno opposes the deployment, calling it a political stunt. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) warns of militarized forces escalating tensions due to lack of local training.
- Opponents argue the deployment is unnecessary, pointing to declining homicide rates (projected to be the lowest in 50 years). However, Landry insists staffing shortages and past successes (like a violence-free Bayou Classic under Guard patrols) justify federal intervention.
- The National Guard deployment aligns with “Swamp Sweep,” a Border Patrol operation targeting 5,000 arrests in Louisiana, further polarizing opinions on federal overreach vs. public safety.
- The move sets the stage for a broader clash over governance, election security and federal authority ahead of the 2028 election. Trump and Landry vow to “make New Orleans safe,” while critics fear deepened divisions and erosion of community trust.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, Dec. 2, that National Guard troops will deploy to New Orleans within weeks at the request of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry – reigniting a heated debate over federal intervention in local law enforcement amid concerns about crime and political motivations.
Speaking during his final Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump confirmed the deployment, praising Landry as a “great governor” who sought federal assistance. “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,” Trump said.
Landry, a staunch Trump ally, had formally requested up to 1,000 federally funded National Guard troops in September, citing “elevated violent crime rates” in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, as well as critical manpower shortages in local police departments.
The governor reiterated his stance Monday, Dec. 1, while commemorating victims of the 2025 Bourbon Street terror attack, recalling Trump’s assurance: “He said, ‘Don’t worry, Jeff, we’ll have them there in two weeks.'”
According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch engine, the Bourbon Street terror attack happened on Jan. 1, 2025. A truck plowed into crowds during New Year’s Day celebrations on the eponymous street in the Crescent City, killing 15 – 14 civilians and the perpetrator.
The deployment – expected before Christmas – comes as New Orleans prepares for major events like Mardi Gras and college football bowl games, where Landry argues additional security is needed. The move follows similar federal surges in Los Angeles, Memphis, Baltimore, Washington and Portland, Oregon, under Trump’s administration.
While outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) expressed openness to federal collaboration, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, a Democrat set to take office in January 2026, sharply criticized the plan.
“If we’re really working on the same goal of going after the very most-violent offenders in the City of New Orleans, the National Guard does not help us with that,” Moreno said, calling the deployment a political maneuver. She instead advocated for more state probation officers and federal prosecutors to target violent offenders.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) echoed Moreno’s concerns, warning that militarized forces unfamiliar with local laws could escalate tensions.
“New Orleans welcomes partnership. We do not welcome occupation,” Carter said in a statement. “These are militarized forces who are not trained in our local laws, not trained in community-based de-escalation, and do not know our neighborhoods or our people. That is a recipe for fear, confusion and dangerous mistakes.”
Patrols or parades? National Guard stirs debate in the Big Easy
Opponents argue the deployment is unnecessary, pointing to declining violent crime rates in New Orleans. After being labeled the “murder capital” in 2022 with 266 homicides, the city is on track for its lowest homicide count in nearly 50 years, with 97 murders reported as of early November.
However, Landry maintains that staffing shortages and natural disaster vulnerabilities justify federal support. Recent security successes, such as a violence-free Bayou Classic weekend under National Guard patrols, bolster his argument.
Business owners like Andre Rubenstein praised the troops’ presence, saying, “They’ve done a great job when they’re down here. It adds an element of additional safety that makes our visitors feel good.”
Yet critics, including some city council members, fear the deployment could disrupt cultural traditions like second-line parades and erode community-police trust.
The National Guard announcement coincides with “Swamp Sweep,” a Border Patrol-led operation targeting 5,000 arrests in Louisiana. Landry welcomed the crackdown, posting, “We Welcome the Swamp Sweep in Louisiana,” while Moreno warned of potential rights violations.
As New Orleans braces for dual federal surges, the debate underscores broader tensions over crime, federal overreach and political posturing ahead of the 2028 election. With Attorney General Pam Bondi set to address election security concerns, including allegations of foreign interference, the stage is set for a contentious showdown over governance and public safety.
For now, Trump and Landry remain steadfast. “We’re going to make New Orleans safe,” the governor vowed. Whether the National Guard’s presence achieves that – or deepens divisions – remains to be seen.
Watch this Fox News report about the possible National Guard deployment to Chicago.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
TheEpochTimes.com
APNews.com
FOX8Live.com
KHOU.com
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
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