As New Orleans prepares for Carnival, President Donald Trump praised the National Guard's presence in the city, saying crime was "down to almost nothing." This comes as reports show 10 shootings in the first 3 days of 2026, according to WAFB.
The National Guard was deployed to Louisiana after a request from the governor. Former President Trump said, "The governor of Louisiana called. Great person. And he wanted us to help him, as you know, in a certain very nice part of Louisiana. And we have done that," as reported by WAFB. NOPD Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said, "Presence matters. We do know that law enforcement presence is a deterrent, so the National Guards presence will surely have an impact." NOPD data show crime is declining, with murders down 3% from 2024 to 2025 and 55% lower than in 2022, along with decreases in other major violent crimes. Kirkpatrick said the results come from "targeted enforcement and technology-driven strategies," noting, "We fish with a speargun and that's the difference. We know who does the crime in our city, and we focus on them," as stated by WWLTV.
Local law enforcement says working with other agencies helps keep the city safe. Metropolitan Crime Commission Vice President Michele Foster said, "Anytime we have assistance from any other agency, it just helps local law enforcement, state and federal law enforcement to do a good job as well," but added that crime reductions often reverse when the National Guard leaves. As Carnival approaches, Kirkpatrick said, "I think you could have a great sense of confidence that you can come to the French Quarter and the other entertainment districts of New Orleans," as per FOX 8 Live.
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