Gov. Landry requests activation of 1,000 National Guard under Title 32 for Louisiana

Landry Requests Title 32 Guard Deployment to Tackle Rising Crime in Louisiana

• Governor Jeff Landry has requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops under Title 32 to back local police.
• Landry cites surging homicides, carjackings and gang violence that strain already thin forces.
• The move aims to patrol hot spots, secure critical infrastructure and provide logistical support.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says he has formally requested federal assistance (RFA) to activate up to 1,000 Louisiana National Guard personnel under Title 32. He made the announcement during an appearance on “Hannity” Monday evening, signaling this is a straight-up call for manpower, not politics. The goal is blunt: get more trained, uniformed people on the streets to restore order.

Landry said his RFA has been submitted to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. He framed the request as urgent and necessary given public safety concerns. This is a governor using every legal tool to protect citizens when local forces are stretched thin.

He cited “ongoing public safety concerns regarding high crime rates throughout the state,” adding that local law enforcement is overwhelmed by the number of homicides, carjackings and gang violence that “significantly exceed the national average.” Those words are not campaign rhetoric, they are a report card on public safety that demands a real response. When residents fear walking their neighborhoods, officials must act decisively.

Landry also pointed out hurricanes and other disasters have made staffing shortages worse, stretching the police force to a breaking point. Natural disasters take resources and attention, and crime fills the gaps when enforcement is thin. That creates a dangerous feedback loop that demands extra hands and coordination.

He warned of “a convergence of elevated violent crime rates in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans coupled with critical personnel shortages within local law enforcement.” The plan is straightforward: supplement patrols, shore up communications and secure infrastructure. That kind of targeted support can free officers to focus on investigations and rapid response.

The additional Guard support is expected to “supplement law enforcement presence in high-crime areas, provide logistical and communication support, and secure critical infrastructure.” Under Title 32 authority, troops would patrol neighborhoods and bolster police in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. This keeps command under the governor while using federal funding, a smart use of resources.

Landry argued past Guard deployments worked, pointing to a 50% drop in crime during Mardi Gras and other events earlier this year. Those results show temporary, focused missions can make neighborhoods safer fast. Critics in Shreveport and New Orleans raise valid concerns, but public safety has to come first.

USA Facts shows Louisiana consistently ranks among the nation’s most dangerous states, with violent and property crime rates well above the national average. Facing these numbers, Landry says urgent action is required and has sent the request to Washington. Now it’s up to Hegseth to decide whether to approve the support Louisiana needs.