Reports are swirling that the Trump administration has drafted plans to activate 1,000 National Guard troops in Louisiana, with Baton Rouge and New Orleans as the likely destinations. The move would put Guard members in direct support of law enforcement in some of the state’s most crime-ridden urban centers.
According to WBRZ, the Pentagon confirmed that a plan exists, but stressed that it hinges on a formal request from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Landry, a Republican, has signaled in the past that he supports troop deployments to assist local law enforcement, though he has not yet made an official ask. If he does, the troops could be tasked with missions ranging from drug enforcement to communication support.
The Washington Post, citing unsigned draft documents, reported that the plan is designed to let the military supplement law enforcement in places like New Orleans and Baton Rouge. While the documents haven’t been finalized, their very existence shows how seriously the administration is considering a federal security presence in Louisiana’s cities.
President Trump himself has been telegraphing this kind of action for weeks. He recently announced that National Guard units would be sent to Memphis, Tennessee, and even floated the possibility of using active-duty military forces “if we need it.” His message has been clear: if local authorities can’t or won’t get crime under control, his administration will step in.
The Pentagon, for its part, is trying to tamp down speculation. In a carefully worded statement, a Defense Department official said, “Leaked documents should not be interpreted as policy,” and added that the department would not discuss “pre-decisional” materials. Still, the fact that such a plan is being discussed openly suggests the White House is preparing to act quickly if Governor Landry makes the request.
Legally, the deployment of the Guard depends on the governor. If Landry mobilizes them, the troops would remain under state command while carrying out law enforcement functions. Without his involvement, federal restrictions would limit their role to guarding government facilities and personnel.
Here’s the big picture: after years of crime spikes, drug trafficking, and urban decay, the Trump administration is putting cities on notice. Louisiana may well be the next testing ground for what Trump has called his “D.C. model” of restoring order. Whether it happens depends on Governor Landry’s willingness to make the call—but the pieces are clearly being put in place.
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