A top New Orleans police official said Tuesday he would welcome National Guard support but questioned Governor Jeff Landry’s claims of rising crime. Landry, a Republican, has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send up to 1,000 troops to Louisiana cities, citing shortages in law enforcement. President Donald Trump has also called for military deployments in several U.S. cities.
Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier said New Orleans’ crime rate is falling, with 84 homicides so far in 2025 compared to 124 last year and 193 in 2023. Other violent crimes have also declined, though he said additional support could strengthen local forces.
Community leaders expressed concerns the deployment could disrupt city traditions, while Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) argued it would deter crime.
Meanwhile, federal crackdowns in Chicago have raised tensions after immigration agents used chemical agents on protesters. In Oregon, Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed suit to block a planned Guard deployment, while in Memphis, a federally led task force has already made arrests.
The Trump administration says urban deployments are necessary to fight crime and enforce immigration laws, though critics argue they risk eroding community trust.
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