On Friday, Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, shared his thoughts on the Trump administration’s consideration of deploying National Guard troops in major cities to tackle rising crime rates. However, when it came to the idea of a federal law enforcement initiative in his own district, he seemed uncertain.
“I’m not sure; that’s not really my area,” Johnson remarked during an interview on CNN’s “News Central,” when asked if the National Guard should be sent to Shreveport, Louisiana. “Perhaps it might be necessary. I think we should approach it one city at a time.”
He went on to assert, “If that’s true, then it’s crucial to confront the crime issues in that city.”
This month, President Trump declared a public safety emergency, taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington and mobilizing the National Guard as part of an effort to reduce crime in the area. His administration celebrated these actions as a success and he has suggested applying similar strategies in other cities plagued by crime, often focusing on predominantly Democratic towns in blue states.
In support of Trump’s initiatives, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry dispatched approximately 135 National Guard members to Washington, D.C.
Shreveport, which Johnson has represented since 2017 and is the most populated city in his district, experiences a crime rate that exceeds that of Washington, D.C., according to FBI statistics. Independent reports suggest that Shreveport’s violent crime rate is notably higher than that of similar-sized cities.
“Actually, the FBI statistics show this,” stated CNN’s John Berman during the interview.
Despite acknowledging ongoing issues, Johnson emphasized that “a great deal of good work is being done.” Still, he did point out the challenges the city faces.
He mentioned that local Democratic officials, including the district attorney, might not pursue charges as aggressively as their counterparts in other areas. “But this is an urban region dealing with numerous issues that are happening nationwide, and we must address this,” he noted.
The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, which serves the area, has not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding the situation.
