Trump says he’ll send National Guard to Memphis, escalating his use of troops in US cities

Image: Alex Brandon AP

Trump Plans to Send National Guard to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — President Donald Trump announced plans Friday to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, citing concerns over crime in the majority-Black city. The move marks another controversial use of military force in U.S. cities, testing the boundaries of presidential authority.

Speaking on Fox News, Trump said both Tennessee’s governor and Memphis’s mayor support the plan. “The mayor is happy, the governor is happy,” he claimed, describing Memphis as a “deeply troubled” city. “We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington,” he added, referring to previous military deployments.

However, Memphis Mayor Paul Young pushed back, saying he had not requested National Guard troops and does not believe military intervention is the solution to reducing crime.

“I did not ask for the National Guard and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime,” Young said Friday at a news conference. He acknowledged Memphis faces persistent violence but urged focus on root causes such as mental health, job access, and housing.

Despite the mayor’s concerns, Republican Gov. Bill Lee welcomed the support and said he would speak with Trump to coordinate details of the deployment.

“I’m grateful for the President’s unwavering support,” Lee said in a statement. “Memphis remains on a path to greatness, and we are not going to let anything hold them back.”

City Reports Crime Decline, but Concerns Persist

Trump’s announcement came just days after Memphis police reported significant decreases in all major crime categories for the first eight months of 2025, with overall crime at a 25-year low and murders at a six-year low. Despite this, the city has a history of gun violence and high-profile crimes, including the 2021 killing of rapper Young Dolph and a 2022 shooting spree that prompted a citywide lockdown.

Republicans point to continued safety concerns. Sen. Brent Taylor (R-TN) said the Guard could offer administrative support, freeing up local officers. Tennessee’s two U.S. senators also support the deployment.

Trump said the decision was influenced by Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who recently urged federal intervention during a conversation with the president.

Federal vs. Local Tensions

The president’s plan highlights ongoing tensions between federal and local officials over the use of troops in domestic law enforcement. While Tennessee’s leadership supports the move, Democratic-led cities like Chicago, Portland, and New Orleans — all of which Trump has previously targeted — have resisted similar efforts.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy criticized the Memphis deployment, suggesting more FBI agents would be a better option than military troops.

“These high-profile, short-term military deployments risk seeming performative and leaving no lasting impact,” said Mulroy, a Democrat.

The ACLU also raised legal and constitutional concerns. Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, said the use of soldiers for law enforcement raises red flags, especially if deployed under federal authority without a clear legal basis.

“There is no factual emergency to justify calling out troops for policing,” Shamsi said.

Political Divide on National Guard Use

The Memphis deployment contrasts with reactions in other states. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker celebrated Trump’s shift in focus away from Chicago.

“It’s disturbing that the president is hellbent on sending troops onto America’s streets,” Pritzker said on social media. “Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting.”

Trump has previously sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., often over the objections of Democratic leaders. In Washington, where the president directly controls the Guard, troops have been used for everything from patrols to public services. In California, a lawsuit followed after the Guard was federalized under Title 10 authority.

Details about the Memphis deployment, including its timeline and whether it will include federal law enforcement, remain unclear. The White House has not confirmed whether the operation will proceed under state or federal authority.

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