Partisan Divide Over National Guard Deployment in Memphis
Tennessee legislators from Shelby County are finding themselves at odds regarding the impending deployment of the National Guard in Memphis. It’s an issue where opinions diverge sharply along party lines.
Democrats typically express opposition to Governor Bill Lee and former President Donald Trump’s initiative to send troops to urban areas as part of a broader strategy, though some lawmakers adopt a more nuanced stance.
On the other hand, Republicans back the decision, even if the specifics remain vague. In a recent announcement, Trump indicated plans to send additional federal resources to Memphis to tackle crime, following a meeting with Lee at the White House.
Senator Paul Rose, a Republican from Covington, voiced his support, particularly after the northeast part of Shelby County was included in his district. However, he admitted uncertainty about how the deployment would unfold. He reflected on a personal experience from a trip to Israel, where troops on the streets helped him feel safer, though he didn’t directly comment on the implications of a military presence in Memphis.
Rose believes that, similar to the initiatives in D.C., the intervention might help reduce violence. He stated, “I commend the governor for sending them. People will definitely be thankful for their presence who might otherwise be victims.”
Yet, specifics about the military’s role in Memphis and its duration remain unaddressed. Rose did emphasize that he backs their presence if it contributes to reducing gang activity in the city.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton articulated a need for military involvement as part of a “quick strike” initiative meant to work alongside federal and state officials in combating crime linked to approximately 100 gangs.
Data from Washington D.C. indicated a drop in incidents when troops were deployed last summer, with murders and robberies significantly declining during that period.
The tension between Trump and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reignited recently, as local police declared they could no longer enforce certain immigration policies following temporary emergency measures.
In light of these developments, Trump announced a state of emergency to reinstate federal oversight in D.C., paralleling his earlier comment about sending military support to Shelby County.
On the Democratic side, Jesse Chism, a legislator and chair of the Black Caucus in Tennessee, shared his concerns about the troop deployment, fearing it might reverse the progress already made by local law enforcement. He cautioned that such a move could reopen old wounds, leading to potential unintended consequences.
Chism noted that local officials in Memphis and Shelby County were not pleased with the plans, a sentiment echoed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who criticized the initiative, while Memphis Mayor Paul Young appeared resigned to the situation.
Democrat Antonio Parkinson expressed discontent over what he described as an arrangement made without local leaders’ input. Yet, he tried to frame the situation positively, stating, “Memphis has a way of turning challenges into opportunities.” He metaphorically referred to the city’s resilience, saying, “Memphis makes the best lemonade out of the sourest lemons.”
Parkinson encouraged residents to view the military’s presence as a chance to tackle long-standing issues rather than as an unwelcome occupation.
Other Memphis lawmakers, including Democrats London Lamar and Raumesh Akbari, voiced disappointment over the planned military patrols, especially given reported crime reductions in the past year. Meanwhile, Republicans like Senator Brent Taylor questioned the accuracy of crime statistics, suggesting an audit might be necessary.
In a related note, last week, Governor Lee expressed his intent to bolster the efforts of the FBI’s Operation Viper, which has yielded numerous arrests of violent offenders. However, he opted to skip a scheduled appearance at the Nashville Rotary Club to continue discussions with the Trump administration regarding developments in Memphis.
