Trump might seek to deploy military forces in states despite opposition, as suggested by legal authority insights

The current political landscape is abuzz with discussions surrounding President Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops, particularly in New Orleans.

Louisiana's Republican governor, John Bel Edwards, has expressed a willingness to consider this idea, should the need arise. However, Governor Edwards, like Illinois's JB Pritzker, is the commander in chief of his own state National Guard and can deploy troops if necessary. Yet, Governor Pritzker, a Democrat, has made it clear that he does not want troops deployed in his state.

President Trump's proposed deployment plan has raised concerns about potential legal battles. If Trump were to send un-federalized National Guard troops from one state into another without that state's consent, litigation is likely. This potential legal fight could potentially reach the Supreme Court.

The President's actions regarding the National Guard deployment are a topic of interest for legal experts. Stephen Vladeck, a Georgetown University law professor, suggests that these actions may be largely for show and not legally necessary in most situations. Vladeck also posits that Trump could attempt to deploy troops from Trump-friendly states to those that don't want them, which would put the U.S. in "uncharted territory."

In a recent development, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Trump's use of National Guard troops in June in response to anti-immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles was illegal. This ruling, however, only applies in California.

In 2020, 11 states allowed President Trump to borrow their National Guard troops for deployment in D.C., without federalizing them. The digital article was edited by Treye Green, and the radio version of this story was produced by Nia Dumas.

As of September 4, 2025, at 3:10 PM CDT, President Trump has not confirmed whether he will indeed send troops to New Orleans without Governor Edwards' consent. The looming legal fight regarding the president's options for sending troops to individual states continues to unfold.

Trump has also stated that he plans to send troops to Chicago after the ruling, but the city and state have shown resistance to this proposal. Additionally, Trump is considering sending National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, and had previously considered Chicago and Baltimore.

Stephen Vladeck, in his One First Substack newsletter, has written extensively about the president's use of the National Guard. His insights provide a valuable perspective on the potential legal implications of the President's deployment plans.

In conclusion, the prospect of President Trump deploying National Guard troops to various cities, including New Orleans, is a contentious issue that is likely to be met with legal challenges. The outcome of these challenges could set a significant precedent for future presidential actions regarding the deployment of the National Guard.