Louisiana Governor Seeks National Guard Deployment Through 2026 Amidst Crime Debate

Louisiana’s Republican Governor Jeff Landry has formally requested the deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to several cities, including New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge, seeking support from the Trump administration through fiscal year 2026. Governor Landry cited what he described as “elevated violent crime rates” and local law enforcement shortages as the primary reasons for the extended deployment.

The request follows weeks after President Trump had publicly suggested New Orleans could be a target for National Guard deployment to combat crime. However, this initiative faces scrutiny, particularly in light of recent crime statistics. Preliminary data from the New Orleans police department indicates 75 homicides so far in 2025, a notable reduction compared to 124 in 2024 and 193 in 2023, marking the fewest murders in the city since 1970. Other crime categories, such as carjackings and vehicle burglaries, have also seen significant declines.

Crime trends analyst Jeff Asher, co-founder of AH Datalyst, critically labeled the governor’s request as a “wholly unnecessary stunt.” This sentiment is echoed by Democratic leaders in other states, like Oregon and Illinois, who have criticized the Trump administration’s similar deployments in cities such as Portland and Chicago, often arguing they are unwarranted given existing crime reduction trends.

While Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, has also experienced a decrease in homicides compared to last year, police figures indicate that robberies and assaults are on track to surpass 2024 totals. Beyond crime, Governor Landry also cited Louisiana’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for additional support for major public events, including Mardi Gras and college football bowl games in New Orleans, as further justifications for the deployment.

This request aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy of deploying military personnel to major U.S. cities, a policy that has seen troops sent to Los Angeles recently and plans announced for similar actions in other metropolitan areas.

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