President Donald Trump has proposed sending National Guard troops to New Orleans as a means of addressing the city’s crime problem, but local Democrats have dismissed the idea as a politically motivated scare tactic. The suggestion has drawn sharp criticism from city officials and lawmakers, who argue that the plan undermines efforts to address the root causes of crime through funding and policy reforms rather than militarizing law enforcement.
Democratic City Council President Helena Moreno, who is also running for mayor of New Orleans, condemned Trump’s remarks, stating that the city has already seen a significant reduction in crime and violence. She accused the president of using the issue to score political points and warned against any federal intervention, which she argued would divert crucial resources from real solutions.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, a Democrat whose district includes New Orleans, echoed Moreno’s criticism, calling Trump’s comments a ‘political stunt.’ Carter emphasized that Trump’s focus on military solutions ignores the broader systemic issues driving crime, such as poverty, underfunded police departments, and inadequate prison infrastructure.
The City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to maintaining public safety through existing partnerships and collaboration with federal and state agencies. They pointed to a sustained decline in crime, attributing it to dedicated law enforcement efforts, technological advancements, and a constitutional policing approach.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, publicly supported Trump’s proposal, tweeting that the city would welcome the president’s assistance. This marked a rare alignment between a Republican governor and a Trump administration on an issue that has typically divided political factions in the region.