Trump Orders National Guard Deployment to Memphis
President Donald Trump signed an order Monday authorizing the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, in a move aimed at addressing crime in the city. Joined in the Oval Office by Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Trump announced the creation of the Memphis Safe Task Force, calling it a “replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts” previously implemented in Washington, D.C.
“This is very important because of the crime that’s going on, not only in Memphis, in many cities,” Trump said, according to the Commercial Appeal. “We’re going to take care of all of them step-by-step.”
The federal initiative will include personnel from the FBI, DEA, ICE, and U.S. Marshals, alongside National Guard troops. Trump described the response as a “big force” intended to restore public safety.
A White House memorandum titled Restoring Law and Order cited FBI data that ranked Memphis as having the highest violent crime rate per capita in the U.S. in 2024. The memo emphasized the cultural significance of Memphis — home to Graceland and Beale Street — and argued the city deserves to be safe for residents and visitors alike.
The decision comes despite recent Memphis Police Department data showing an overall decline in crime. According to police, total crime in the city reached a 25-year low in the first eight months of 2025, with homicides at a six-year low. However, long-standing concerns about gun violence remain. In 2023, Memphis recorded over 390 homicides — a record high.
Governor Lee voiced support for the deployment, saying he was “tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back.”
However, the move has drawn criticism from Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, who said he was not consulted and did not request federal troops. “I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime,” Young said Friday. He acknowledged ongoing public safety challenges but noted the city is already seeing improvements.
CNN reports that the first troops could arrive as early as this week, although Young said he has yet to receive specific details, including the number of troops or their assignments.
Trump also suggested other cities could see similar action, naming Chicago as a likely next step, though he indicated a more cautious approach there following strong opposition from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other local officials. St. Louis and Baltimore were also mentioned, though no immediate plans were announced.
The deployment marks another example of Trump testing the boundaries of federal authority in U.S. cities — a tactic that has drawn both praise and pushback during his administration.
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