Louisiana Governor Asks Department of War to Deploy up to 1,000 National Guard Troops

Gov. Jeff Landry said there have been ‘elevated violent crime rates’ in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

Gov. Jeff Landry in Baton Rouge, La., on June 18, 2024. Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has asked the Department of War to activate the National Guard in Louisiana, saying that his state needs help fighting crime.

In a Sept. 29 letter, Landry, a Republican, requested assistance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to activate up to 1,000 troops through fiscal 2026.