In an effort to address rising crime in Memphis, President Donald Trump has announced that he will deploy the National Guard to the city with the support of both the local mayor and the state governor.
What Happened
On Friday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he would send National Guard troops to Memphis to help curb crime rates in the area. Speaking to Fox News Channel, Trump mentioned that both the Democratic Mayor of Memphis and Republican Governor of Tennessee had expressed their support for the deployment. This announcement comes as the city faces an increase in criminal activity, which has led to growing public concerns.
Trump compared this deployment to his previous actions in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, where he sent federal troops and National Guard units to assist local authorities in managing crime and protests. The President expressed confidence that the National Guard would bring a similar level of success to Memphis, stating, “We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington.”
Reactions
The decision to deploy the National Guard has sparked mixed reactions. While local leaders in Memphis appear supportive of the move, some critics argue that sending federal troops to manage local crime undermines local control and exacerbates tensions between communities and law enforcement. This is particularly relevant in Democratic-led cities, where Trump has suggested deploying the National Guard to cities such as Chicago and Baltimore.
In Chicago, Trump mentioned that he would have preferred to deploy troops there but faced significant resistance from local politicians. He criticized Chicago for being “hostile” and mentioned the presence of “professional agitators” in the city.
What’s Next
With the National Guard being sent to Memphis, authorities will work closely with the local law enforcement agencies to manage crime. This deployment adds to the ongoing debate regarding the role of federal troops in managing local law enforcement issues, especially in cities with strong political opposition to the federal government’s involvement.
Trump’s administration has previously deployed troops to Los Angeles in early June to handle protests related to immigration raids. The deployment drew controversy, as California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the move, but the National Guard was placed under federal jurisdiction. This decision resulted in a lawsuit from the state of California but nonetheless allowed the Guard to operate without the typical legal restrictions on state law enforcement.
As the National Guard moves into Memphis, the city’s crime concerns will likely remain a focal point in the national discussion about the appropriate role of federal intervention in local policing.
This is a developing story. We will update this article as more information becomes available.
