National Guard deploys to New Orleans

"The National Guard's arrival in New Orleans comes as the city marks the first anniversary of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack that killed 14 people. That attack, which was quickly followed by New Orleans hosting the Super Bowl and the city's Mardi Gras festivities, prompted weeks-long deployment. With the return of the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl and the arrest of a New Iberia man whom the FBI said was planning a New Orleans attack, authorities have asked federal approval on an increased security rating."

"In a shift from similar deployments elsewhere, Landry proactively requested that National Guard troops be used in Louisiana to back up local enforcement. But Tuesday's announced deployment does not include those other cities, Louisiana National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins says. Landry could have approved the use of Louisiana National Guard in local cities at any time - but then the state, rather than the federal government, would have had to pay the bills."

National Guard troops have been deployed to New Orleans as the city marks the first anniversary of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack that killed 14 people. The earlier attack, followed by the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, led to a weeks-long deployment. The return of the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl and the arrest of a New Iberia man accused by the FBI of planning a New Orleans attack prompted authorities to request higher federal security approval. Local leaders report violent crime and the murder rate are significantly down, with the murder rate tracking toward its lowest level since the 1970s. Governor Landry proactively requested Guard support to back up local enforcement, though the announced deployment excludes other cities. Questions remain about why federal approval took months despite Landry's relationship with the administration, and Landry could have deployed state-funded Guard forces earlier at state expense.

Read at Axios