President Trump addresses the press in the Oval Office on September 15, signing a directive to deploy National Guard forces to Memphis, Tennessee. Observing are U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, both Republicans from Tennessee, alongside Governor Bill Lee.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Beginning this Monday, Memphis will witness the arrival of a significant contingent of federal law enforcement officers as part of an intensified initiative aimed at tackling crime, a move championed by President Trump.
At a press briefing last Friday, Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee announced that representatives from 13 federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF, will be deployed to Memphis next week. Complementing these federal forces, 300 officers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol will also participate in the operation.
While the exact number of National Guard members to be stationed in Memphis remains undisclosed, Governor Lee emphasized that their role will primarily be supportive rather than enforcement-based. The Guard will not carry weapons unless specifically requested by local police departments.
The governor outlined that this initiative will unfold in multiple stages over the coming weeks and months. He highlighted that extensive preparations have been underway for several months to integrate federal resources effectively, describing the effort as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to transform public safety in Memphis.
“The narrative of crime in Memphis is poised to become a chapter of history,” Lee asserted confidently.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, acknowledged the mixed reactions within the community regarding the federal intervention. He stressed the importance of channeling these new resources in ways that genuinely benefit the city’s residents.
“As the city’s leader, my priority is to ensure that incoming support is utilized efficiently and serves the best interests of our citizens,” Mayor Young stated.
He also pointed out that Memphis has already made strides in curbing violent crime following a surge in 2023. The city currently collaborates with several joint task forces involving state and federal agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and ICE.
To keep the public informed, the city government has launched a dedicated website offering updates and details about the federal assistance arriving in Memphis.
President Trump has previously characterized Memphis as grappling with severe violent crime rates that have overwhelmed local authorities’ capacity to respond effectively. Earlier this month, he signed a presidential memorandum establishing a federal task force to address crime in the city, likening the initiative to a similar operation he launched in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for allegedly focusing federal law enforcement efforts on cities governed by Democrats. Prior deployments of federal agents occurred in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., both led by Democratic mayors, much like Memphis. Additionally, Trump has expressed interest in extending such operations to other cities including Chicago, New Orleans, and St. Louis.
