Trump Deploys National Guard to Memphis, Vowing to Combat Crime

Strategic Insights -

President Donald Trump has taken a drastic step in his efforts to address crime in the United States, signing a presidential memorandum to deploy the National Guard to the city of Memphis, Tennessee. This move follows a similar action in Washington, D.C., where Trump had deployed the National Guard to tackle crime. Trump's efforts have been met with both support and criticism, with some governors pushing back against his attempts to use federal authority to intervene in local law enforcement. The deployment to Memphis marks a significant test of Trump's presidential powers, despite a law that bars the military from participating in local law enforcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Trump has signed a presidential memorandum to establish a "Memphis Safe Task Force" to address violent crime in the city, using federal law enforcement and agencies.
  • The task force will include the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
  • The deployment of the National Guard to Memphis marks the first time Trump has sent the Guard into a red state, following his deployment of the Guard in California and the District of Columbia.
  • Memphis's homicide rate remains high compared to the nation, but overall murders decreased by 14% from 2023 to 2024, according to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
  • Trump has also threatened to send troops to other cities, including New Orleans, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, though he has backed off some of these threats.
  • Governors have control over their state National Guard, except in rare circumstances where the president can seize control.
  • Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed the deployment and thanked Trump for directing federal resources to Memphis, while some governors have pushed back against Trump's attempts to use federal authority to intervene in local law enforcement.

Statistics:

  • 14%: Decrease in overall murders in Memphis between 2023 and 2024, according to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
  • 2025: Year in which Trump signed the presidential memorandum to deploy the National Guard to Memphis.
  • 2023-2024: Time period during which Memphis saw a decrease in murders.
  • 3: Number of federal agencies involved in the Memphis Safe Task Force.
  • Multiple: Number of federal agencies involved in the Memphis Safe Task Force, including the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Sources:

  • [1] "President Trump Calls for Deployment of Troops to Memphis in Crime Crackdown." Tennessee Lookout, September 12, 2025.
  • [2] "The Stats." Memphis Crime, [n.d.].
  • [3] "Trump Floats Portland, Oregon, Next National Guard Deployment." News from the States, [n.d.].
  • [4] "Trump Speculates New Orleans Next, He Weighs National Guard Expansion." News from the States, [n.d.]