Trump's National Guard Deployment Sparks Controversy in Memphis

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:50:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The announcement by President Trump to send the National Guard to Memphis for crime control has ignited debate among local leaders, showcasing conflicting perspectives on federal intervention in urban crime strategies.

President Trump has announced a new task force aimed at combating crime in Memphis, drawing parallels to previous federal interventions in Washington DC. While the governor supports the move, Memphis Mayor Paul Young expresses concerns over the necessity and potential impact on the community. Despite rising violent crime rates, local leaders are divided on the effectiveness of federal resources in addressing crime.

US President Donald Trump, alongside Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, announced on Monday the establishment of a task force to combat crime in Memphis, Tennessee. This marks the second city to face a crackdown under the Trump administration, following Washington DC.

Trump expressed his intention to 'fix' Memphis, a city he claims is 'overrun' with crime including carjackings and shootings. The announcement comes after prior plans for a similar operation in Chicago faced strong local opposition.

While some officials support the initiative, Memphis mayor Paul Young has publicly opposed the deployment of the National Guard and federal agencies, arguing that crime is already on the decline without federal intervention. Young desires to have a voice in how the federal presence interacts with the community.

Statistics indicate that Memphis is plagued with high crime rates, notably leading the nation in homicide rates per capita. This decision has reignited discussions about the appropriateness of deploying military resources in urban areas and the legal implications surrounding such actions, particularly highlighted by a recent court ruling in California that challenged Trump’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles.