From December 31, 2025, the National Guard has officially arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, following authorization from President Donald Trump. The deployment includes approximately 350 members of the Louisiana National Guard who began patrolling the city on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Details of the Deployment
- Purpose: The troops were deployed primarily to provide security for New Year’s Eve celebrations, marking the one-year anniversary of a 2025 New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people.
- Duration: The Pentagon has authorized this troop activation through February 28, 2026, covering both the holiday season and the 2026 Mardi Gras festivities.
- Scope: Guard members are tasked with supporting federal law enforcement partners to counter high rates of violent crime. They are currently confined to the French Quarter and are not participating in immigration enforcement.
- Authority: The deployment was authorized by President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following a request from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
While Governor Landry and some local officials support the added security, the move has faced criticism from some Democratic leaders who argue it is unwarranted given recent decreases in violent crime rates.
