National Guard Deployment Considered as Cities Grapple with Crime Concerns
CHICAGO – As former President Donald Trump calls for National Guard deployments to combat rising crime, several major U.S. cities are weighing their responses, ranging from acceptance of state resources to cautious consideration. The discussions highlight a growing tension between calls for a strong federal response to urban crime and local efforts to address the root causes of violence.
In Baltimore, Maryland, Governor Wes moore and Mayor Brandon Scott announced on Friday the city will receive additional state law enforcement resources, including support from the maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Authority Police, to bolster crime-fighting efforts. This follows the expansion of the city’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, unveiled on July 23, 2025, with officials including Mayor Scott, City Council President Zeke Cohen, and Police Commissioner Richard Worley.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has expressed outright support for federal assistance, stating on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week, “We will take President @realDonaldTrump’s help from New Orleans to Shreveport!” landry was also among a group of Republican governors who sent National guard troops to Washington, D.C. to support Trump’s crime crackdown.
New Orleans officials,in a joint statement released Wednesday by Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office and the New Orleans Police Department,emphasized ongoing progress in reducing crime thru their current strategies,but did not comment directly on the potential deployment of troops.
“The City of New Orleans and NOPD remain committed to sustaining this momentum, ensuring that every neighborhood continues to feel the impact of these combined efforts,” the statement read.
Shreveport, Louisiana, Mayor Tom Arceneaux acknowledged the need for resources but stressed the importance of collaborative discussions between local, state, and federal officials to develop long-term solutions.
“Any city our size can always use additional resources in the battle against crime. The question is how, when, and in what form to provide those resources,” Arceneaux said in a statement on Thursday.
