Trump Initiates Crime Crackdown in Memphis with National Guard Deployment

Tue Sep 16 2025 12:20:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump, alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, announces a new task force to combat crime in Memphis, declaring the city 'overrun' with violence. Local officials express opposition to federal intervention amidst concerns of rising crime rates.

In a recent announcement, President Donald Trump, supported by Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, unveiled a plan to establish a crime task force in Memphis, Tennessee, resembling efforts previously implemented in Washington D.C. Despite Trump's claims of rising crime rates, Memphis Mayor Paul Young has opposed the initiative, arguing that local crime is already on the decline and that federal interference may exacerbate tensions within the community. The deployment will include federal resources like the National Guard, as concerns grow about the effectiveness and legality of using such forces in city environments.

Trump Initiates Crime Crackdown in Memphis with National Guard Deployment

US President Donald Trump, joined by Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, on Monday established a task force to take on crime in Memphis, Tennessee. The Democratic-led city is the second to face a Trump administration crackdown on crime, following Washington DC.

Trump has vowed to 'fix' the city after shelving plans for a similar operation in Chicago, reportedly due to opposition from local and state officials. Meanwhile, Memphis' mayor, Paul Young, has voiced opposition to the plan, arguing that crime already is falling without federal intervention.

During a memorandum-signing in the Oval Office, Trump noted that Memphis is 'overrun' with carjackings, robberies, and shootings. 'We're not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore,' he declared, adding that the task force will be a 'replica of efforts' in Washington DC, involving federal agencies including the National Guard, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Governor Lee praised the decision for its potential to lower crime rates, despite opposition from Mayor Young. In recent statements, Young revealed his dissatisfaction with the federal plans, expressing a desire to have some influence on how the National Guard engages with the community. He stated, 'My goal is to make sure that if they are indeed coming, that we have an opportunity to drive some of the decisions around how they engage in our community.'

As crime remains a prominent issue nationally, discussions surrounding the deployment of federal resources have sparked debate. While some local officials support Trump's aggressive approach to combating violent crime, polls indicate that many residents in affected cities view the presence of the National Guard with apprehension.

Statistical data shows Memphis has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the US, with a significant number of homicides. As the administration moves forward, the ramifications of this decision spark essential conversations about crime management and local governance.