New Orleans Leaders Push Back on Trump’s National Guard Crime Crackdown

NEW ORLEANS — President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to New Orleans is facing fierce resistance from city leaders, who argue the move is unnecessary and politically driven despite recent progress in reducing violent crime.

Trump Promises to “Clean Up” New Orleans

Speaking from the White House Rose Garden, Trump vowed that the Guard would make New Orleans “safe” within two weeks, describing the city as plagued by “a lot of little murders.” He said federal intervention would restore safety to neighborhoods.

City Leaders Say Crime Already Falling

Local officials pushed back, highlighting major reductions in homicides and shootings over the past year.

City Council Vice President Helena Moreno dismissed Trump’s remarks as “scare tactics,” insisting the city “does not need a federal takeover.”

Councilmember Jean-Paul Morrell said Guard members are not trained for community policing, while Councilmember Oliver Thomas warned the move could damage trust between residents and law enforcement.

Federal Resources, Not Troops, Urged

Rep. Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-La.) criticized the plan, saying the city needs more investment in police training, youth programs, and social services—not military patrols.

City Hall and the New Orleans Police Department released a joint statement citing ongoing partnerships with state and federal agencies that have already led to double-digit drops in violent crime.

Louisiana State Leaders Welcome Federal Help

While city officials remain united in opposition, state leaders have lined up behind Trump.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry welcomed the deployment, blaming progressive policies for New Orleans’ struggles with crime. Attorney General Liz Murrill echoed that support, accusing city leaders of undermining safety by rejecting outside help.

Experts Question Guard’s Role in Policing

Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, noted that while Guard troops could serve as a visible deterrent, they cannot replace trained officers needed for investigations and patrol.

The standoff highlights Louisiana’s political divide: New Orleans’ Democratic leaders defending local progress against crime versus a Republican governor aligned with Trump’s law-and-order message. The debate leaves the city at the center of a national fight over policing, federal power, and public safety.