Trump Sends 350 National Guard Troops to New Orleans
President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans in response to a spike in violent crime and growing concerns over the city’s ability to stem rising homicides and drug-related offenses. The decision, announced on December 23, 2025, marks a rare use of federalized Guard forces in a domestic law enforcement support role, reflecting the urgency of the situation and the White House’s continued focus on public safety in urban centers.
According to a report originally published by Military Times under the title “Trump approves deployment of 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans,” the deployment will provide logistical and operational support to local and state authorities but will not involve direct engagement in civilian policing. The National Guard units, drawn from several southern states, will assist with surveillance, transportation, intelligence analysis, and coordination of inter-agency efforts to target gang-related activity.
Administration officials framed the move as a necessary intervention at the request of Louisiana Governor Billy Nungesser and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who have both expressed increasing alarm over the city’s deteriorating public safety environment. Mayor Cantrell, while recognizing the extraordinary nature of the deployment, emphasized the need for swift action. “Our residents deserve safe neighborhoods. If this federal support will help bring order to our streets, we welcome it,” she said during a joint press conference with state officials.
The National Guard’s deployment is set to begin in early January and could last for up to 90 days, subject to periodic review. While the Guard troops will be under the command of the Louisiana National Guard leadership, they will coordinate closely with the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Public reaction has been mixed. Advocacy groups have raised concerns about the potential for blurred lines between military and law enforcement roles, citing past instances in which such deployments raised civil liberties issues. However, political leaders from both major parties in Louisiana signaled bipartisan support for the action, citing the scale of the crime wave and the strain on local police resources.
New Orleans has experienced one of the highest per capita murder rates in the United States for several consecutive years, exacerbated by struggles in police recruitment and retention. The city’s criminal justice system has also faced criticism for delays in prosecution and a growing backlog of cases, prompting calls for federal assistance.
White House officials insisted the deployment is temporary and focused on support rather than enforcement. “This is about helping local authorities reclaim control and rebuild trust in the rule of law,” Presidential spokesperson Stephen Chandler said in a briefing.
The use of National Guard troops for law enforcement support remains a politically sensitive matter, particularly in the wake of past domestic deployments, such as those during civil unrest in the summer of 2020. Constitutional scholars continue to debate the boundaries of such actions under the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits active-duty troops from performing law enforcement functions on U.S. soil but allows for National Guard involvement under state control or specific federal authorizations.
As New Orleans braces for this new chapter in federal-local collaboration, city leaders hope the deployment will offer both immediate relief and long-term momentum in their fight against violent crime. Whether the presence of uniformed troops on the streets will reassure residents or deepen tensions remains to be seen.
