About 350 Louisiana National Guard members are set to deploy throughout the state as part of an effort to curb crime, the Pentagon announced on Dec. 23.

The deployment announcement comes weeks after President Donald Trump previewed the action in early December.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth authorized the troop activation on Dec. 22.

“These National Guard troops will support federal law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, as they enforce federal law and counter high rates of violent crime in New Orleans and other metropolitan areas in Louisiana,” Parnell said in a statement on Tuesday.

The activation comes as the Trump administration has directed numerous National Guard mobilizations to support crime prevention efforts in high-crime inner cities around the country.

National Guard troops may be activated for state-level militia service, federal service, or in a hybrid status where they answer to state leaders but receive federal funding.

In several cases, the Trump administration has called the National Guard to deploy to high-crime areas around the country under federalized status, known as a Title 10 deployment.

A federal law known as the Posse Comitatus Act broadly prohibits the use of federalized troops for civilian law enforcement activities. The Insurrection Act provides a narrow exception for a president to order federalized troops to engage in civilian policing.

Several of the recent National Guard deployments have faced legal challenges from state and local officials.

State officials have argued they were not properly consulted about troops being activated in their communities and questioned whether those troops are conducting civilian law enforcement operations without proper legal authorization.

Parnell said this latest activation of the Louisiana National Guard will take place under the hybrid status, known as a Title 32 deployment.

Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has supported the plan to activate his state’s military capabilities.

“Operating under Gov. Landry’s command and control, this mission will directly enhance the safety of Louisiana’s residents and the enforcement of federal laws–reaffirming the Department of War’s commitment to supporting our interagency partners and the safety and security of our nation,” Parnell said.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Landry said his state’s National Guard members will help ensure safety during the busiest season in New Orleans.

“We owe them all a debt of gratitude for their commitment to our state and nation,” Landry added.

On Jan. 1 of this year, New Orleans’ Bourbon Street became the scene of a deadly attack as a suspect drove a pick-up truck through a crowd gathered for a New Year’s Day celebration, before he exited the vehicle and began shooting at people.

Fifteen people were killed in the attack, and dozens more were injured before responding police officers shot and killed the suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar.

The Title 32 troop deployment is set to last through Feb. 28, 2026.