In a bold move that’s sure to spark debate, the Trump administration is dispatching 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans just before the New Year, as the New York Post reports.

This deployment, set to last through February, aims to support federal law enforcement in a city that’s seen its share of turmoil and triumph this year.

Earlier this year, a tragic truck attack on Bourbon Street claimed 14 lives on New Year’s Day, when a U.S. Army veteran drove through a crowd displaying an Islamic State flag before being stopped by police.

National Guard Steps in After Tragedy

In response to that horrific event, 100 Guard members were sent to the city in January to enhance security.

Since then, Guard troops have also been on hand for major events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, ensuring safety during high-profile gatherings.

Now, with this latest deployment of 350 troops, the administration is doubling down, aligning the effort with an ongoing federal immigration crackdown led by Border Patrol that began earlier this month.

Immigration Crackdown Fuels Deployment Decision

According to the Department of Homeland Security, hundreds have already been arrested in the operation’s first weeks, with a target of 5,000 detentions.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell explained, “Guard members, as they have in other deployments in large cities, will be tasked with supporting federal law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.”

While that sounds like a practical mission, critics are already crying foul, claiming this show of force could unnerve a community that’s actually seeing less violence lately.

Crime Drops, Yet Troops Arrive

Indeed, New Orleans is on track this year to record its lowest murder tally in decades, with just 97 homicides by early November, down from 124 last year and 193 the year before.

Other offenses, from armed robberies to property crimes, have also declined, painting a picture of a city on the mend—hardly the war zone some might imagine.

Still, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a staunch Republican, cheered the move, saying, “It’s going to help us further crack down on the violence here in the city of New Orleans and elsewhere around Louisiana.”

Political Support and Broader Context

Landry, who earlier this year requested 1,000 federally funded troops for Louisiana cities over crime concerns, clearly sees Trump as a partner in his tough-on-crime stance.

While some might roll their eyes at what looks like political theater—especially with Landry’s new role as special envoy to Greenland—the governor’s gratitude reflects a belief that federal muscle can deter trouble, even if the stats suggest otherwise.

Let’s be honest: while progressive voices may decry this as overreach, there’s a case to be made for proactive security in a city that’s endured high-profile shocks, even if the Guard’s presence risks feeling like a solution in search of a problem.