Trump Deploys National Guard to Tackle Memphis’ "Rampant Crime"
(MENAFN) On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the National Guard to deploy to Memphis, Tennessee, a city led by Democrats, to tackle what he described as "rampant crime."
The document, signed in the White House Oval Office, states: "The city of Memphis, Tennessee, is suffering from tremendous levels of violent crime that have overwhelmed its local government's ability to respond effectively."
Memphis becomes the third major U.S. city in recent months to receive National Guard support on its streets, following Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The memorandum establishes the Memphis Safe Task Force, charged with "ending street and violent crime in Memphis to the greatest possible extent." This task force will work closely with officials at the state and local levels in Tennessee, Memphis, and nearby areas to share intelligence, prioritize efforts, and optimize resources aimed at restoring safety and public order.
The Secretary of War—formerly known as the Secretary of Defense—is instructed to request the Tennessee governor to provide National Guard units to assist with public safety and law enforcement operations. These units are to be deployed "in such numbers and for such duration as the Governor may deem necessary and appropriate to assist with the activities of the Task Force," according to the memorandum.
The White House highlighted data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, noting that Memphis held the "highest violent crime rate" in the U.S. in 2024. "Memphis has some of the highest rates of murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crimes in the nation," the fact sheet emphasized.
President Trump cited his previous deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., aimed at transforming it from a "nightmare of murder and crime" into what he called "the safest and most beautiful capital in the world." According to the White House, crime in the capital has "fallen dramatically."
At the signing ceremony, Trump praised the initiative’s achievements in Washington and expressed confidence in similar outcomes for Memphis.
"What's going to happen with Memphis in three, four weeks, we'll stand together, and we'll say, look at this. The crime has almost disappeared, maybe completely disappeared in Washington," Trump told reporters.
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