President Trump Sends National Guard to Memphis to Combat Crime
President Donald Trump signed an order on Monday to send the National Guard into Memphis to combat crime, marking another significant test of the limits of presidential power by using military force in American cities.
The decision was announced during a meeting with Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee at the Oval Office, where Trump stated that troops would be deployed to join a special task force in the city. This task force will comprise officials from various federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Marshal’s service.
The goal of this deployment is to reduce crime in Memphis, similar to the approach used in Washington, D.C. Trump claimed that sending in the National Guard and federalizing the local police force has been successful in the nation’s capital.
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Trump stated, “This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here. And, you’ll see it’s a lot of the same thing.” The presidential memorandum signed by Trump did not provide details on when troops would be deployed or the specifics of the law enforcement efforts.
According to Lee’s spokesperson, Elizabeth Lane Johnson, “Planning is currently underway, and we will continue to work closely with federal and local partners to determine the most effective path forward.”
The Deployment of the National Guard
The National Guard will be deployed to Memphis to assist in reducing crime. The city has struggled with high crime rates, including a record 390 homicides in 2023. Despite recent decreases in crime, Memphis remains one of the most violent cities in the United States.
The deployment of the National Guard is part of a broader effort to address crime in Memphis. The city has implemented various initiatives to reduce crime, including increasing police presence and community outreach programs.
Out-of-state Help
The memorandum signed by Trump also specified that out-of-state help may be available, including state police from Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as National Guard members from other states if necessary.
Trump mentioned that the FBI has already increased its activities in Memphis, which has helped reduce crime. However, he stated, “We’re sending in the big force now.” The White House posted on social media that Memphis’ total crime rate is higher than the national average, suggesting that the rate has increased since last year.
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Despite the White House’s claims, Memphis police have reported decreases in every major crime category in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in previous years. Overall crime has hit a 25-year low, and murder has reached a six-year low, according to police reports.
Reaction from Local Authorities
Tennessee’s governor has embraced the troop deployment as part of a broader law enforcement surge in Memphis. Lee stated, “I’m tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back.” The state’s Republican senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, also joined the meeting at the Oval Office.
However, Memphis Mayor Paul Young has expressed concerns about the deployment of the National Guard. Young stated, “I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime.” He has also said that he wants to ensure he can influence the Guard’s role in the city.
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Some local Democrats have urged officials to consider options to oppose the deployment. Tami Sawyer, Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk, suggested that the city or county could sue to challenge the deployment.
Future Deployments
Speculation has centered on Chicago as the next city to receive a deployment of the National Guard and federal authorities. However, the administration has faced resistance from Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other local authorities.
Trump has insisted that Chicago will likely be the next city to receive a deployment, stating, “We’re going to be doing Chicago probably next.” He also mentioned that he has a personal connection to the city, having a skyscraper bearing his name there.
Trump has also previously mentioned that he would be willing to send troops to New Orleans, another Democrat-leaning city in a Republican-run state. He has also singled out Baltimore and St. Louis as potential locations for future deployments, although he provided no details.
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When asked if he would send troops to Chicago without support from state and local authorities, Trump replied, “It’s not going to matter to us at all.” He added, “We hope we have the governor’s help, but if we don’t, we’re doing it without him.”
Conclusion
The deployment of the National Guard to Memphis marks a significant development in the Trump administration’s efforts to combat crime in American cities. While some have expressed support for the move, others have raised concerns about the potential consequences and the limits of presidential power.
