WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump took significant steps on Monday in the District of Columbia, deploying Tennessee’s National Guard to the Democratic-leaning city of Memphis, emphasizing that he is essential to addressing crime.
“We’re going to make Memphis safe again,” Trump stated.
This move presents a new challenge to Trump’s presidential powers, particularly concerning the use of US military resources domestically, given legal limitations on soldiers aiding local law enforcement. He mentioned that the National Guard’s deployment in Tennessee would serve as a model for similar actions across other cities in the country.
During the signing of the memorandum in the Oval Office, Trump was flanked by Tennessee GOP Governor Bill Lee and state Republican Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn. The directive establishes the Memphis Safety Task Force, intended to leverage federal law enforcement to combat violent crime.
“We send a great deal of strength,” Trump remarked.
Multiple Federal Agencies
The task force is set to involve various federal agencies, including the former US Secret Service, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, specifics about the number of federal personnel involved remain unclear.
“This task force will replicate our very successful efforts here, and you’ll notice that it’s quite similar,” Trump stated regarding the use of the National Guard in his district.
This marks the first occasion where Trump has sent the National Guard to a Red State after previously taking control of the California National Guard from the Democratic governor for deployment in Los Angeles and further dispatching security personnel to a Democrat-controlled area.
While Memphis continues to grapple with high murder rates, a drop of 14% in homicides was reported between 2023 and 2024, according to the latest statistics from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
The Mayor’s office in Memphis did not respond immediately for comments.
Trump further noted that St. Louis, Missouri, might see comparable actions soon.
Other Cities
The National Guard’s deployment in Tennessee follows Trump’s threats to send troops to additional cities, including New Orleans, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been vocal against the idea of sending National Guard forces to Chicago; however, Trump reiterated his mention of the city on Monday but seemed to pull back on his threats.
Control over the state’s National Guard typically lies with the governor unless the president intervenes in extraordinary circumstances. Pritzker has consistently opposed the idea of deploying the National Guard in Chicago.
“Without the Governor’s help, we’re doing it without him,” Trump declared regarding Pritzker.
Along with the actions in Memphis, Governor Lee expressed gratitude toward Trump for directing federal resources to the city, noting a sense of hope and excitement about the potential progress for Memphis.
