As the year 2026 began, President Donald Trump hosted his traditional New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago. However, before the party commenced, Trump announced the removal of National Guard troops from several major U.S. cities. This decision followed a significant legal defeat at the Supreme Court, according to a report by NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez.
As part of a heightened security plan, President Trump authorized a National Guard deployment in New Orleans, commencing Tuesday, following a vehicle-ramming attack on Bourbon Street last year. This deployment, similar to previous security enhancements for events like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, will focus on the French Quarter and will not participate in immigration enforcement. With over 800 local, state, and federal law enforcement officials involved, the Guard will support local efforts to enhance capabilities, reduce crime, and restore public trust. This increased presence, including 350 Guard members, will remain through the Carnival season, with plans for the Guard to depart after Mardi Gras in February.
As part of ongoing federal deployments, the Trump administration is sending 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans, Louisiana, ahead of the New Year, coinciding with a Border Patrol-led immigration crackdown. The National Guard will support federal law enforcement partners until February, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the deployment, predicting a positive impact on the city. Despite a decrease in violent crime rates, critics express concern over the deployment, AP News reports.
The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago amidst federal immigration raids. This decision, reached in a 6-3 vote, came after a request from the Trump administration following opposition from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The ruling emphasized the government’s failure to identify legal grounds for military involvement, especially as the situation could be handled by regular law enforcement. “Operation Midway Blitz” saw federal immigration agents facing violence and protests, despite approximately 1,500 arrests made during the crackdown.
The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s plan to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois, siding with local officials who opposed the move. The court determined the administration did not provide sufficient justification under federal law for deploying troops to protect federal agents involved in immigration enforcement. This decision, considered a rare defeat for the Trump administration, likely sets precedents for similar challenges against deployments in other cities. The court’s ruling centered on the interpretation of the law, concluding the president could not federalize the Guard to execute laws.
Two members of the Iowa National Guard were killed in a terrorist attack in Syria, ambushed by a lone ISIS gunman. The attack resulted in the deaths of the two soldiers and a civilian, while also wounding three other soldiers; the gunman was killed in the attack. The two service members killed were part of a group of 1,800 members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to Syria this past summer. President Trump vowed retaliation for the attack, and several Iowa politicians have offered condolences and expressed gratitude for the fallen soldiers’ service.
In a decisive ruling, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cease deploying the California National Guard in Los Angeles and return control to the state. Judge Charles Breyer granted a preliminary injunction following the administration’s June activation of over 4,000 troops without Governor Newsom’s approval. The ruling rejected the administration’s arguments for the deployment, accusing them of attempting to create a national police force. The White House has indicated it will appeal the decision, while California officials celebrate the ruling as a victory for democracy.
The Pentagon announced that all National Guard members deployed in Washington D.C. would be armed with live weapons and conduct joint patrols with local police, a significant shift in the rules of engagement for domestic military deployments. This decision follows a recent shooting of two guardsmen, one of whom died, near the White House, prompting the administration to order more troops to the city. The move to arm these troops comes as a recent order finding the deployment unlawful is on hold, pending the Trump administration’s appeal. Additionally, the suspect in the shooting, an Afghan national, has caused the administration to launch a review of immigration policies.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national and former member of a CIA-backed unit, is accused of shooting two National Guard members near Washington, D.C. The alleged attack occurred after Lakanwal struggled with mental health issues, financial hardship, and a perceived lack of support from the U.S. government. Having served with the CIA in Afghanistan and resettled in the United States, Lakanwal faced difficulties finding employment and accessing immigration services. Despite undergoing extensive vetting, he was reportedly experiencing isolation and sought help from a CIA program for veterans, though his requests appear to have been ignored.
Following the ambush-style shooting of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz implied that President Trump bore responsibility for the death. Schultz argued the presence of the National Guard in U.S. cities, stemming from Trump’s policies, created the dangerous situation. She questioned Trump’s decision to deploy military troops, criticizing the lack of coordination with local authorities. The White House responded by placing blame on the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
John Q. Hosedrinker