Rep. Carter Sends Letter to Trump Amid Threats to Send the National Guard to New Orleans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) sent a letter to President Trump regarding recent public statements about potentially sending the National Guard into the City of New Orleans.

Read Congressman Carter’s full letter below:

Dear Mr. President:

I write today with deep concern regarding your recent public statements about potentially sending the National Guard into the City of New Orleans. As a proud son of New Orleans, and now U.S. Representative for this city and the people who call it home, I want to be clear: militarizing the streets of New Orleans is not the solution for our public safety. Period.

In New Orleans, we are committed to protecting both the safety and the rights of our residents and the millions of visitors we host every year. The city operates under a Home Rule Charter, and we are committed to maintaining control over public safety in a manner that reflects our shared values and democratic principles. We will always welcome true collaboration from our federal partners, but never at the expense of local self-governance or the rule of law.

If your Administration wishes to support New Orleans, I stand ready to work with you on real, common-sense solutions. That means securing federal funding to recruit, retain, and better train police officers; strengthening the resources of our District Attorney’s office; and addressing the urgent need to repair infrastructure at Orleans Parish Prison. Most importantly, it means restoring investments in the very programs your Administration has proposed cutting—programs that address the root causes of crime: systemic poverty, economic inequality, and lack of opportunity. New Orleans needs resources, not political stunts.

There is a strong precedent for constructive public safety partnerships between the federal government and municipalities. In fact, in 1995, President Bill Clinton directed millions of federal dollars to New Orleans to create a model of community policing. That initiative did not militarize neighborhoods—it built trust, reduced crime, and strengthened the bonds between law enforcement and the community. It worked because it was rooted in collaboration, not coercion. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have since proven that real federal support can empower communities to keep themselves safe while respecting local authority.

The National Guard already plays an essential role in public safety for our residents, especially as first responders in the wake of disasters during the Atlantic hurricane season. I have the utmost respect for our servicemembers and for the Louisiana National Guard, whose bravery and dedication save lives and deliver critical supplies in the immediate aftermath of storms. We must not divert these service members from their vital mission to protect Louisiana families during natural disasters.

Mr. President, I urge you to reconsider this approach. New Orleans deserves solutions rooted in respect, collaboration, and democracy—not a show of force. I remain committed to working with you in good faith to bring federal resources where they are needed most and to strengthen the safety, resilience, and future of our city.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Read the letter here.

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