Washington (AP) – President Donald Trump I signed my order on Monday Send the National Guard to Memphis Provide another major test to combat crime Limitations of Presidential Rights By using military force in American cities.
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visited the oval office and said Trump will be joining the city’s special task force, consisting of staff from various federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, immigration, customs enforcement agencies and services from the US Marshall.
He said the goal is to defeat crime, as he says. Sent the National Guard and federalize local police Located in Washington, DC
“This task force will be a replica of our extremely successful efforts here,” Trump said of the District of Columbia. “And you see that it’s a lot of the same thing.”
The president’s memorandum signed by President Trump did not include details on when the military would be deployed or what his promised surge in law enforcement efforts would look like.
“The plan is currently underway and we will continue to work closely with the federal government and local partners to determine the most effective path to advance,” said Lee spokesman Elizabeth Lane Johnson.
The memorandum also specified that out-of-state assistance may be available, including state police in Mississippi and Arkansas at the Memphis border, and national security guards from other states where necessary.
Trump said the FBI is already bolstering its recent activities in Memphis. Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee with a majority of black people, and has helped reduce crime, but “we’re sending a great deal of strength now.”
Shortly before Trump’s announcement, the White House throttled the national trend by posting on social media that Memphis’ total crime rate was higher than the national average, suggesting that the rate had risen since last year.
That’s despite Memphis police recently reporting a decline across all major crime categories in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in the past. Overall crime hit its lowest level in 25 years, while murder hit its highest level in six years, police said.
Still, Memphis has dealt with the issue of stubborn gun violence for years. In 2023, the city recorded more than 390 murders.
The Tennessee governor embraced the deployment of the military as part of a wider rise in law enforcement in Memphis, and Lee said Monday that he was “fed up with the crimes that hold big Memphis cities.” State Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty also joined the Oval Office.
Following Trump’s actions, he first announced on Friday that he would soon deploy the National Guard in Memphis – Drawing immediately Pushing down from Democratic leaders.
“I didn’t ask for the National Guard, I don’t think that’s how to lower crime,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said at a press conference Friday that the city has admitted to staying high on too many “bad lists.”
Young also says that a decision is being made and he wants to be able to influence the role of security guards. He mentioned the possibilities of traffic control at large events, police camera surveillance and implementing beautification projects.
At a press conference Monday, some local Democrats urged authorities to consider options against the deployment. Tami Sawyer, general session court clerk in Shelby County, said the city or county could sue.
Speculation was concentrated Chicago As Trump’s next city to send the National Guard and other federal authorities. However, the administration faces intense resistance from the Democratic Illinois JB Pretzker and other local governments.
Despite this, Trump claimed on Monday that “we’re probably going to do Chicago,” but authorities suggested not to act there any time.
Speaking about the skyscrapers that bear his name in the third largest city in the country, Trump said he “knows” Chicago and “it has a wonderful, beautiful building. I’m very proud of it.”
“But when you see all the crimes, you’re not too proud,” he added.
The president argued that if he might send troops to Chicago without support from state and local governments, “it would not be of any importance to us at all.”
“We hope we have the help of the governor,” he said. “But if we didn’t do it without him.”
Trump has previously said he is willing to send his troops to New Orleans, another Democrat-leaning city in a Republican-run state. He again mentioned New Orleans on Monday, but even Baltimore and St. Louis were singled out as areas that could eventually line up for the deployment of the force, but did not provide details.
“I want to save these places,” Trump said.
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Mattis was reported from Nashville, Tennessee.
