President Donald Trump announced plans for a fresh federal push into New Orleans, signaling that National Guard troops will soon head to the city while a broader immigration crackdown dubbed the Swamp Sweep is set to begin this week.
This comes as Louisiana leaders press for help to confront crime and chaos, with federal intervention framed as a safeguard for a city and state facing unique challenges.
Trump did not specify how many troops would be sent or the exact arrival date. Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who has pressed for federal support since September, told reporters that the Guard would arrive in New Orleans before Christmas.
“Gov. Landry — a great guy, a great governor — he’s asked for help in New Orleans. And we’re going to go there in a couple of weeks,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
Landry, a strong Trump ally, has argued that federal assistance is warranted in Democratic-controlled New Orleans. He cites concerns about elevated violent crime rates even as local law enforcement reports trends that have improved in some neighborhoods.
Separately, Landry posted on social media this week that “We Welcome the Swamp Sweep in Louisiana,” referring to the Border Patrol led operation that aims to arrest 5,000 people over the coming weeks.
Opponents have warned that deploying federal troops or agents could be unnecessary in a city already showing declines in certain crime metrics.
New Orleans is on track for one of its safest years since the 1970s, according to local crime data. Yet the administration argues that the added resources can help during major events and in a time of ongoing security concerns.
In September, Landry requested federally funded National Guard troops be sent to Louisiana. In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Landry said there have been “elevated violent crime rates” in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport along with shortages in law enforcement personnel.
Those words underscore the governor’s belief that additional federal support improves the state’s ability to protect residents and visitors.
Louisiana National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins declined to comment Tuesday.
Still, the governor’s office has emphasized that the proposed deployment would strengthen public safety during peak seasons and major events such as Mardi Gras and college football bowl games.
The administration argues that in times of crisis, federal partnership matters for orderly, lawful enforcement that respects communities and public liberties.
New Orleans has a complicated history with crime and policing. In 2022 the city was branded the murder capital of the country, with 266 murders that year.
Since then, shootings and related violence have fallen, and the city is headed toward its lowest murder count in nearly half a century, though recent weeks have seen a spike in homicides. As of early November, the police department reported 97 murders.
These numbers illustrate a city transitioning from crisis to cautious recovery, even as leadership on the ground remains deeply engaged in crime reduction efforts.
Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, who takes office in January, has rejected the idea of a National Guard deployment in the blue city and has expressed concerns about potential rights violations tied to a federal immigration surge.
She did not comment on the impending deployment in this moment. Outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell, facing federal corruption charges, has previously said the city is open to working with the federal government to improve public safety.
A Cantrell spokesperson stated that the city and its police “have a track record of working collaboratively” with National Guard and other agencies.
Officials in other cities have warned of the disruption that could accompany federal troops.
Some community leaders worry about the impact on cultural traditions, such as second-line brass parades that weave through the streets, and about fragile community-police relationships.
In January, a hundred Guard members were sent to the city to strengthen security after a New Year’s Day truck attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people and injured many more.
The administration’s broader plan this week extends beyond New Orleans, with potential deployments in Baton Rouge and Shreveport as part of a broader strategy to restore order and deter violence.
Louisiana is not alone in this effort. Trump has leaned on National Guard resources in other urban centers across the country, arguing that federal support can be pivotal for addressing spikes in violent crime and ensuring safety for residents and visitors alike.
Critics, however, worry about civil liberties and the long-term implications of federal police presence in local affairs.
The administration contends that the guards and federal agents operate under clear guidelines and are designed to complement state and local law enforcement, not replace them.
The Swamp Sweep and related actions reflect a broader administration strategy to project force and reassure communities that federal support is available when local agencies face extraordinary pressures.
While the path forward remains contested in local politics, the overall aim heard from officials on both sides of the aisle is a safer New Orleans and a more secure Louisiana.
The coming weeks will test how this partnership plays out on the streets, in city hall, and in the neighborhoods most affected by crime and disorder.