President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will send National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, in response to concerns about crime — a decision that has sparked both support and criticism amid reports that the city’s crime rate is at a 25-year low.
Speaking on Fox News, Trump said both the Democratic mayor of Memphis and Republican Governor Bill Lee support the deployment, calling the city “deeply troubled.” He vowed to “fix Memphis just like we did Washington,” referring to his earlier deployments of the Guard and federal officers to the nation’s capital.
Governor Lee confirmed the plan, saying he will coordinate with the White House to define the Guard’s mission. “I’m grateful for the president’s support,” Lee said in a statement. “Memphis is on a path to greatness, and we won’t let anything hold them back.”
Crime Data vs. Military Response
The announcement comes just days after Memphis police reported significant decreases across all major crime categories for the first eight months of 2025, including a six-year low in homicides.
Trump said he was urged to act by Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who reportedly pressed him to address safety concerns in the city.
Despite falling crime rates, Memphis has struggled with persistent gun violence and several high-profile cases in recent years, including the 2021 killing of rapper Young Dolph and the 2022 abduction and murder of teacher Eliza Fletcher.
Divided Opinions in Tennessee
Supporters of the move, like Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor, argue that National Guard assistance will provide “administrative and logistical support” and allow police to focus on their core duties.
But critics, including Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, warn that military deployments risk being more symbolic than effective. “A better strategy would be to send more FBI agents and trained federal law enforcement officers,” Mulroy said.
Mayor Paul Young said he remains “committed to ensuring any efforts strengthen our community and build on our progress,” emphasizing the need for more resources for prevention programs and police investigations.
Legal and Civil Rights Concerns
Civil liberties advocates have questioned the legal grounds for sending the Guard, especially in a city that has not requested federal troops. Hina Shamsi of the ACLU’s National Security Project warned that such deployments “risk chilling First Amendment rights” and put policing in the hands of troops “not trained for civilian law enforcement.”
Broader Strategy
Trump’s decision reflects his wider strategy of deploying federal forces to cities he sees as struggling with crime. Earlier this year, he sent Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles under federal authority, drawing lawsuits from California officials.
The president has also floated sending troops to New Orleans and Chicago, though Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has fiercely resisted, calling the move “an insult” and “not normal.”
For now, the White House has not provided a timeline for the Memphis deployment or clarified whether federal law enforcement will also be sent.
