Trump Authorizes Deployment of 350 National Guard Troops to New Orleans/ Newslook/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of 350 National Guard members to New Orleans, citing crime prevention and enhanced federal support. The troops will remain through February and arrive as a broader federal immigration crackdown continues. The move has drawn praise from Republican state officials but criticism from local leaders who say crime is already declining.
Quick Look:
- Troop Deployment Approved: 350 National Guard troops will be deployed to New Orleans ahead of New Year’s celebrations and remain through February.
- Federal Coordination: The deployment will support operations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- Crime Focused Mission: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry requested the troops, saying the deployment will help reduce violence across Louisiana.
- Parallel Immigration Crackdown: DHS confirms an ongoing multi-city immigration enforcement operation targeting 5,000 arrests is underway.
- Local Crime Rates Falling: Despite the deployment, data shows violent crime is down significantly in New Orleans in 2025.
Trump Authorizes Deployment of 350 National Guard Troops to New Orleans
Deep Look
The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday that 350 National Guard troops will be stationed in New Orleans in the coming days as part of a federal security initiative. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the mission mirrors similar deployments in cities like Washington and Memphis, with Guard members assisting federal law enforcement efforts.
These troops will be active through at least February, providing logistical and operational support to agencies including DHS and DOJ. The mission’s timing coincides with heightened security needs for the New Year’s holiday and broader federal operations already in progress.
Governor Landry Praises Trump and Hegseth
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican and strong ally of the Trump administration, lauded the president’s decision and praised Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for facilitating the move.
“It’s going to help us further crack down on the violence here in the city of New Orleans and elsewhere around Louisiana,” Landry said on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show. “A big shoutout to both of them.”
Landry had previously requested the deployment of up to 1,000 federally funded troops to Louisiana’s cities, citing public safety concerns. He has consistently supported the president’s use of federal forces to bolster urban security.
Federal Immigration Operation Ongoing
Simultaneous to the National Guard deployment, U.S. Border Patrol agents have been executing an aggressive immigration enforcement initiative that began earlier this month. DHS reports several hundred arrests thus far, with a goal of 5,000 apprehensions over the coming months.
The crackdown targets individuals with outstanding deportation orders and suspected visa overstays in sanctuary cities and major urban centers — a strategy aligned with the Trump administration’s renewed emphasis on immigration enforcement heading into the election year.
Critics Push Back, Citing Declining Crime
Local leaders and civil rights groups have criticized the move as unnecessary and potentially harmful to community trust. They argue that recent crime trends in New Orleans do not warrant a military-style presence.
Preliminary data from the New Orleans Police Department shows the city is on track to record its lowest number of homicides in decades. As of November 1, 2025, the city reported 97 homicides, a sharp drop from 124 in 2024 and 193 in 2023.
Robberies, assaults, carjackings, and property crimes have also trended downward this year.
Background: Violence and Prior Deployments
The city experienced a major tragedy on New Year’s Day when 14 people were killed in a truck attack on Bourbon Street. A U.S. Army veteran, driving a truck draped in the Islamic State flag, breached a police barrier and drove into a crowd of celebrants. The attacker was shot dead by law enforcement at the scene.
In response to that attack, 100 National Guard troops were deployed to the city in January for additional security. The Guard has since returned for major events, including the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, making this latest deployment one in a series of federal security efforts in the city.
Political Implications
The deployment adds to President Trump’s broader strategy of using federal troops and law enforcement to boost domestic security, particularly in Democrat-led cities. It also underscores his continued support for Governor Landry, whom Trump recently appointed as his special envoy to Greenland — a largely symbolic but high-profile diplomatic role.
While the administration has framed the move as a response to public safety needs, opponents view it as part of a political narrative portraying urban centers as crime-ridden and unmanageable without federal oversight.
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