Louisiana Deploys 135 National Guard Troops to Washington D.C.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has approved the deployment of approximately 135 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C., in support of President Donald Trump's federal crime crackdown and takeover of the city's police department. The Guardsmen began their mission on August 16 to assist local law enforcement and the D.C. National Guard with efforts to restore safety and peace amid Trump's declared "crime emergency," which persists despite Washington's violent crime rate being at a 30-year low. Lieutenant Colonel Noel Collins indicated that the deployment is expected to last at least a month, with the Guardsmen supporting a variety of law enforcement tasks. Other states, including Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia, have also sent National Guard troops to the capital to support the initiative. Governor Landry emphasized the importance of law and order, stating that the mission aims to return safety and sanity not only to Washington but also to cities across the country, including Louisiana. This deployment reflects broader federal and state cooperation under President Trump's directive to address urban crime and lawlessness.