Trump Orders National Guard to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns, Side-Steps Chicago Visit

Strategic Insights -

President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, to combat crime, rather than visiting Chicago, where violent crime rates are reportedly lower. Trump cited Memphis' high crime rates, stating that it was "deeply troubled" and would be "fixed" like Washington, D.C. However, Memphis' crime statistics show that it is nearly three times as dangerous as Washington, D.C.

According to 2024 FBI crime statistics, Memphis recorded more than 15,000 instances of violent crime, with a population of 613,000 people, while Washington, D.C. had 6,500 violent crimes with a population of over 700,000. Memphis ranked fourth in the nation for violent crime in 2024, behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, to combat crime, rather than visiting Chicago.
  • Memphis has a higher violent crime rate than Washington, D.C., with 15,000 instances of violent crime in 2024 compared to 6,500 in Washington, D.C.
  • Trump has cited Memphis' high crime rates as the reason for the Guard deployment, stating that it is "deeply troubled" and would be "fixed" like Washington, D.C.
  • The National Guard deployment to Memphis is not necessary, as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee could have sent the troops to Memphis without presidential intervention, according to national security law professor Steve Vladeck.
  • The number of Americans missing work for National Guard deployments or other military or civic duty is at a 19-year high, adding disruption to a labor market already under strain.
  • Trump's claim that the National Guard deployment to Memphis is a response to crime, not a show of force, has been disputed by experts.

Statistics:

  • Mary 15,000 instances of violent crime in Memphis in 2024, with a population of 613,000 people (FBI crime statistics, 2024)
  • 6,500 violent crimes in Washington, D.C. in 2024, with a population of over 700,000 (FBI crime statistics, 2024)
  • Memphis ranked fourth in the nation for violent crime in 2024, behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston (FBI crime statistics, 2024)
  • The number of Americans missing work for National Guard deployments or other military or civic duty is at a 19-year high (Washington Post, 2025)
  • 3.6 trillion over 20 years: estimated cost of Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense system, according to veteran Pentagon budget and space policy analyst Todd Harrison (AEI, 2025)

Sources:

  • Fox News: Trump says National Guard deploying to Memphis, Tennessee, next amid anti-crime push (2025)
  • FBI crime statistics, 2024
  • Washington Post: National Guard deployments add to labor market disruption (2025)
  • AEI: Build Your Own Golden Dome: A Framework for Understanding Costs, Choices, and Tradeoffs (2025)
  • Associated Press: Trump military attack on Venezuela boat raises questions about self-defense (2025)