In brief
As New Year's celebrations approach, the National Guard will deploy 350 members to New Orleans, reinforcing security in the French Quarter following last year's tragic attack on revelers. Local officials argue that the enhanced security is focused on visibility and safety rather than immigration enforcement.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — A National Guard deployment authorized by President Donald Trump is set to begin Tuesday, coinciding with New Year's celebrations in New Orleans. This proactive measure follows a tragic incident last year when an attack on Bourbon Street resulted in 14 fatalities.
The deployment echoes high-profile National Guard missions in other cities this year, including Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee. However, New Orleans is no stranger to such security measures, as this year has also seen Guard members assisting during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras festivities.
New Orleans police spokesperson Reese Harper noted, It's no different than what we’ve seen in the past. They’re not here for immigration purposes. They’re here for that added layer of visibility. This is for visibility and just really to keep our citizens safe. The National Guard is expected to focus predominantly on the French Quarter, avoiding engagement in immigration enforcement.
A total of 350 Guard members will be deployed, maintaining a presence throughout the Carnival season, which includes the bustling Mardi Gras festivities in mid-February. The increased security measure includes over 800 local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel who will actively patrol the area, conduct bag checks, and close off Bourbon Street to vehicular traffic.
This enhanced law enforcement follows last year's tragic event, wherein Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove around a police roadblock and into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day. Jabbar, who had expressed support for the Islamic State militant group on social media, was subsequently shot dead by police. Law enforcement agencies discovered multiple bomb devices during the incident, none of which detonated.
In the wake of heightened security concerns, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry requested 1,000 troops to address crime, a move that faced opposition from local Democratic leaders who cited significant reductions in violent crime in recent years.
