350 National Guard troops to be deployed in New Orleans through February

About 350 Louisiana National Guard troops will be deployed to New Orleans to support law enforcement during major upcoming events and through early 2026, according to state and federal officials.

The deployment was authorized on Tuesday and will place Louisiana National Guard members in New Orleans beginning shortly after Christmas, with the mission extending through February 28, 2026, according to the U.S. Department of War and the Louisiana National Guard.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said the 350 National Guard members will help ensure public safety during what he described as the city’s busiest season, including New Year’s Eve. He said the troops will remain under state command while coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Louisiana National Guard said the troops will bolster security for major events in the French Quarter, including New Year’s Eve, the Sugar Bowl, and Mardi Gras. Some Guardsmen currently assigned to Washington, District of Columbia, are expected to return to Louisiana to support the mission.

“It’s going to help us further crack down on violence in the city of New Orleans and elsewhere in Louisiana,” Landry said in an interview with Fox News.

Federal officials said the Guard members will serve in Title 32 status while supporting federal law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.