Governor Jeff Landry Requests Federal Support for Louisiana National Guard
Louisiana’s Governor, Jeff Landry, has officially asked for federal assistance to deploy up to 1,000 National Guard members under Title 32. He shared this development during an appearance on “Hannity” Monday night, mentioning he submitted the request to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Landry pointed to “ongoing public safety concerns” regarding the state’s elevated crime rates, which include issues like murder, carjackings, and gang violence. He noted that these figures are significantly higher than the national average. Also highlighted was the shortage of law enforcement personnel, worsened by hurricanes and other disasters, leaving local police stretched thin.
The governor remarked that Louisiana is grappling with an uptick in violent crime particularly in cities like Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, all while experiencing a significant staffing deficit in local law enforcement agencies. He believes that additional security resources would bolster police presence in high-crime areas, provide logistical and communication support, and protect crucial infrastructure.
Under the authority of Title 32, National Guard presence would be intensified in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, specifically targeting neighborhoods with a high crime rate.
Landry mentioned that past National Guard deployments have proved beneficial; for instance, crime rates dropped by 50% during the Mardi Gras season earlier this year. However, there seems to be some pushback; officials in Shreveport and New Orleans have voiced concerns regarding this move. Nonetheless, Landry remains firm, asserting that the current situation necessitates immediate and decisive action.
As these requests are now in Washington, the responsibility lies with Hegseth to evaluate whether this support is warranted. Meanwhile, Louisiana continues to rank as one of the most dangerous states in the nation, with alarming statistics—520 violent crimes and 2,296 property crimes reported per 100,000 people, far exceeding national averages.
