The Trump administration has authorised the deployment of 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans, a move that has ignited controversy over its necessity in a city where violent crime is reportedly declining. The soldiers are set to remain in the Louisiana city through February, a period encompassing the high-profile Super Bowl event.
Security Details and Political Backing
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the guard members will be tasked with supporting federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. The deployment was coordinated with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Louisiana's Republican Governor, Jeff Landry, publicly praised both Donald Trump and Hegseth for the decision. Appearing on Fox News's The Will Cain Show, Landry stated the troops would help "further crack down on the violence here in the city of New Orleans and elsewhere around Louisiana." This follows a request from Landry in September for 1,000 federally funded troops to be sent to Louisiana cities.
Criticism and Context of Falling Crime
Opponents of the deployment argue it is an unwarranted show of force that risks instilling fear within the community. They point to data suggesting New Orleans is experiencing a significant drop in violent crime. Preliminary police figures indicate the city was on pace for much of 2025 to have its lowest number of murders in decades.
As of 1 November 2025, there had been 97 homicides. This number includes the 14 revelers killed in a tragic truck attack on Bourbon Street during New Year's Day celebrations. Comparatively, there were 124 homicides in 2024 and 193 in 2023. Other crimes, such as armed robberies and carjackings, have also trended downward.
Broader Federal Operations and Historical Precedent
This military deployment coincides with an ongoing immigration crackdown in the city led by Border Patrol agents. Since the beginning of the month, several hundred people have been arrested as part of an operation aiming for 5,000 arrests over several months.
New Orleans is no stranger to National Guard presence. In January 2025, 100 guard members were sent to assist with security following the New Year's Day attack. Soldiers have also been deployed for other major events this year, including Mardi Gras and the upcoming Super Bowl.
In a related political move, President Trump recently appointed Governor Landry to serve as his special envoy to Greenland, a territory Trump has previously expressed interest in the US acquiring.
