BATON ROUGE, La — Gov. Jeff Landry has formally asked the federal government to authorize the activation of up to 1,000 Louisiana National Guard members to support state and local law enforcement.
The request, submitted to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, seeks federal assistance under Title 32 authority. Landry announced the move Monday during an appearance on Fox News’ Hannity.
If approved, the Guard would be deployed to address public safety concerns statewide. Landry said the activation would extend earlier federal-state law enforcement partnerships aimed at reducing crime.
The governor’s office cited previous National Guard missions, including deployments during Hurricane Ida in 2021, Hurricane Francine in 2024, the Jan. 1 terrorist attack, Super Bowl LIX, and Mardi Gras 2025. Officials said those operations contributed to a 50 percent crime reduction in early 2025.
Landry said similar Title 32 missions in Washington, D.C., and Tennessee demonstrated the Guard’s ability to support large-scale events such as the Bayou Classic, Sugar Bowl, and Mardi Gras.
“Since taking office, we have made real progress in driving down crime across Louisiana — but the job is far from finished,” Landry said in a statement. “Federal partnerships in our toughest cities have worked, and now, with the support of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, we are taking the next step by bringing in the National Guard. This mission is about saving lives and protecting families.”