Trump sends National guard and ICE to Memphis – then reveals which city is next
President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of a safety task force to Memphis, Tennessee. He described the city as “deeply troubled” and emphasized the need to combat rising crime there.
The presidential memorandum establishes the Memphis Safe Task Force. This action was taken at the request of Tennessee’s Republican Governor, Bill Lee, who expressed his support for the initiative.
This move continues the administration’s pattern of sending federal forces to Democratic-led cities. Previous deployments occurred in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles to address protests.
The White House acknowledged Memphis’s cultural significance but highlighted its alarming crime statistics. FBI data indicates the city has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation.
However, local reports present a contrasting picture. The Memphis Police Department notes historic reductions in crime across all major categories this year.
President Trump also indicated that Chicago could be the next city to receive a similar task force. He stated the team would deploy the full power of federal law enforcement.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, opposes the deployment but acknowledged he cannot prevent it. He plans to collaborate with the administration to manage the federal presence, even as the decision sparks a national debate over federal intervention.
