WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump hosted Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss a possible deployment of the National Guard to Memphis to address the city’s increasing crime rates.
The meeting follows Trump's criticisms of Memphis, which he described as deeply troubled, and his assertion that he aims to resolve the issues there in a manner similar to his interventions in Washington. During a Fox News interview, Trump claimed both the mayor and the governor were in favor of military support.
As the White House cited Memphis's crime rate surpassing the national average and its rise over the past year, tensions simmered. Governor Lee endorsed the intervention, framing it as part of a larger initiative to boost law enforcement in Memphis. In contrast, local Democratic leaders, including Mayor Paul Young, voiced their concerns against military involvement, stating, I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime. Young recognized the city's challenges but emphasized that military measures are not the solution.
This proposed deployment would be Trump's latest test of presidential authority regarding military use in U.S. cities following previous actions in Washington. Additionally, speculation surrounding potential interventions in other cities, such as Chicago, suggests an escalating strategy under the current administration. Resistance from local leaders, particularly in Democrat-run states, indicates a growing divide on how to effectively address urban crime.
