Trump Threatens Federal Troops for Louisiana Crime Amid College Student’s Killing
The recent killing of a Louisiana college student at a red light has reignited calls for stronger crime-fighting measures, with Baton Rouge’s mayor considering a curfew and President Donald Trump considering federal troop deployments to address the rising violence in the state. The incident has intensified national conversations on how to tackle persistent crime in urban areas, with local leaders and federal officials weighing in on potential solutions.
Roderick Forkner, a 19-year-old student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, was shot and injured in an ambush when another vehicle pulled up alongside his car at a red light and fired at them. The attack, captured on camera and widely disseminated, has reignited public concerns about gun violence and law enforcement effectiveness. The tragedy has prompted Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards to consider implementing a curfew in the city, stating that every option is on the table to ensure public safety.
Edwards has expressed openness to federal aid, noting that he would support any assistance that could protect residents and bolster local law enforcement efforts. ‘If President Trump decides to deploy federal troops to Baton Rouge, I welcome that support,’ he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. However, he emphasized that no amount of federal intervention could replace the need for community-driven solutions and accountability for violent crimes.
Trump himself has weighed in on the matter, suggesting that sending federal troops to Louisiana could be part of a broader strategy to combat crime in the region. During a recent presidential press briefing, the former president said, ‘We’re going to be going to maybe Louisiana, and you have New Orleans, which has a crime problem. We will straighten that out in about two weeks.’ His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from local Democrats, who argue that such measures risk politicizing public safety and diverting attention from community-based solutions.
Meanwhile, the Baton Rouge Police Department has stated that violent crime has declined in the city despite the recent tragedy. However, some residents still feel unsafe, highlighting the gap between statistical crime data and personal experiences of fear. ‘While we have made progress in reducing crime, this tragedy reminds us that statistics do not bring comfort to grieving families,’ Edwards said, underscoring the emotional and social costs of urban violence.
As the debate over federal involvement in local policing continues, the incident in Baton Rouge has become a focal point for discussions on how to balance public safety, law enforcement capacity, and civil liberties. With Trump’s threats of troop deployments and local officials’ calls for curfews, the region remains at a crossroads as leaders grapple with the complex issue of urban crime.