NEW ORLEANS, LA — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that National Guard troops will soon be deployed to New Orleans, adding another wave of federal involvement as the city also prepares for an immigration enforcement surge known as “Swamp Sweep.” The president did not specify how many troops would be sent or when they would arrive, though Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) said he expects the deployment before Christmas.
Landry formally requested up to 1,000 federally funded Guard members in September, citing concerns about violent crime in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. He has publicly welcomed the upcoming immigration crackdown, which federal officials say aims to arrest 5,000 people over the next several weeks.
Local crime data, however, shows New Orleans is on track for one of its safest years since the 1970s, with major reductions in shootings, robberies and carjackings. The city had recorded 97 homicides as of early November, far below the 266 reported in 2022. Some local leaders argue additional federal forces are unnecessary and could disrupt cultural traditions or community–police relations.
Mayor-elect Helena Moreno (D) opposes the deployment, while Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) called it an “occupation” that risks “fear, confusion, and dangerous mistakes.” Outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office said the city has a history of cooperating with the Guard during major events and emergencies.
Louisiana joins several other cities where Trump has recently announced or attempted Guard deployments, including Los Angeles, Baltimore, Washington, and Memphis. Some jurisdictions have pursued legal action to stop federal intervention.
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