President Trump said this task force will replicate what is happening on the streets of Washington DC. The president said the goal is to essentially put an end to crime in Memphis and mirror the actions taking place in the nation's capital. The memorandum President Trump signed on Monday did not include details on when troops would be deployed or exactly what his promised surge in law enforcement efforts would actually look like. Tennessee's governor embraced the deployment while the mayor of Memphis is not thrilled with the plan. Crime that's going on not only in Memphis in many cities and we're gonna take care of all of them step by step just like we did in DC. We'll have folks without training interacting with our citizenry, and there's *** chance that that will compromise our due process rights. The president also mentioned he's still looking to send National Guard troops to more Democratic-led cities like Baltimore, New Orleans, and Saint Louis. In Washington, I'm Rachel Herzheimer.
President Trump deploys the National Guard to Memphis
President Donald Trump plans to send National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of a federal initiative to combat crime, drawing varied responses from local leaders.
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Updated: 6:56 AM CDT Sep 16, 2025
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President Donald Trump is sending National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his efforts to combat crime and illegal immigration.Trump said the task force will replicate what is happening on the streets in Washington, D.C., with the goal of reducing crime in Memphis. "It's very important because of the crime that's going on, not only in Memphis, and many cities that we're going to take care of all of them, Trump said during an Oval Office event with members of his administration, and Tennessee's governor and two Republican senators. "Step by step, just like we did in DC." The memorandum President Trump signed on Monday did not specify when the troops would be deployed or detail the nature of the increased law enforcement efforts. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has embraced the deployment, but Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris expressed concerns. "We'll have folks without training interacting with our citizenry, and there's a chance that will compromise our due process rights," Harris said."I think that the National Guard is a short-term solution, and let's be honest, these guys, these men and women, have jobs and families just like we do, and they would probably rather not be here as well," Memphis city council member J. Ford Canale said.The president mentioned that he is still looking to send National Guard troops to more Democratic-led cities, such as New Orleans, Baltimore, and St. Louis.It looked like Chicago was going to be the next city to see troops hit the streets. The administration faced resistance from the Governor of Illinois and other local authorities. On Monday, President Trump insisted Chicago would probably be next to see National Guard troops.Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is sending National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his efforts to combat crime and illegal immigration.
Trump said the task force will replicate what is happening on the streets in Washington, D.C., with the goal of reducing crime in Memphis.
"It's very important because of the crime that's going on, not only in Memphis, and many cities that we're going to take care of all of them, Trump said during an Oval Office event with members of his administration, and Tennessee's governor and two Republican senators. "Step by step, just like we did in DC."
on Monday did not specify when the troops would be deployed or detail the nature of the increased law enforcement efforts.
, but expressed concerns. "We'll have folks without training interacting with our citizenry, and there's a chance that will compromise our due process rights," Harris said.
"I think that the National Guard is a short-term solution, and let's be honest, these guys, these men and women, have jobs and families just like we do, and they would probably rather not be here as well," Memphis city council member said.
The president mentioned that he is still looking to send National Guard troops to more Democratic-led cities, such as New Orleans, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
It looked like Chicago was going to be the next city to see troops hit the streets. The administration faced resistance from the Governor of Illinois and other local authorities.
On Monday, President Trump insisted Chicago would probably be next to see National Guard troops.
Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
