Memphis, Tennessee, is bracing for a major change after President Donald Trump announced on September 12, 2025, that he would deploy the National Guard and other federal resources to the city in response to its persistently high crime rates. The move, which Trump revealed on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” marks the latest escalation in his administration’s ongoing campaign to crack down on crime in American cities—a policy that has sparked both praise and controversy across the country.
“We’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled,” Trump declared, according to The Hill. “The mayor is happy. He’s a Democrat mayor. The mayor is happy. And the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy.” Trump added that he would send in “the National Guard and anybody else we need,” and even floated the possibility of deploying the military if the situation demanded it.
According to 2024 FBI data, Memphis had the highest crime rate per 100,000 people in the country. A USA TODAY analysis found that in 2024, Memphis recorded 40.6 homicides per 100,000 residents, far outpacing other major U.S. cities. The city’s struggle with violent crime has been a longstanding concern, and Trump’s announcement comes after weeks of public discussion about the need for federal intervention in cities with high crime rates.
However, the response from local leaders has been nuanced. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, stated he had not requested the National Guard’s presence but acknowledged ongoing conversations with federal officials about additional aid. “I do not think it’s the way to drive down crime. However, that decision has been made,” Young said during a news conference, as reported by USA TODAY. “As the mayor of the city of Memphis, my career is to make sure that we work strategically to ensure that this happens in a way that truly benefits and strengthens our community.”
Young’s approach reflects both a recognition of the city’s challenges and a desire to maintain local control and trust. “Those are the things that I believe will truly help us be able to support law enforcement and reduce violent crime. I do not support the National Guard,” Young clarified. “However, they are (the governor’s) call. It’s not the mayor’s call. The mayor doesn’t have...an authority to stop them.” He emphasized the importance of working with state and federal partners to ensure that any intervention is effective and community-focused.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican and staunch Trump ally, welcomed the deployment. He stated he has been in “constant communication” with the Trump administration for months about plans to address crime in Memphis. “I’m grateful for the President’s unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians, and I look forward to working with local officials and law enforcement to continue delivering results,” Lee said. He noted that the operation will involve the Tennessee National Guard, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies working in tandem with state and local authorities. The deployment is also intended to complement the FBI’s “Operation Viper,” which is focused on reducing crime in Memphis.
The legal and logistical aspects of the deployment are significant. Lee’s consent means National Guard troops can be deployed in a state-controlled status, allowing them to directly assist in law enforcement efforts. This arrangement differs from federal deployments in cities like Washington, D.C., where Trump has unique authority due to the district’s federal status. In August 2025, Trump sent over 2,200 National Guard troops to patrol the streets of the nation’s capital, citing a need to address rising crime there. The president signed an executive order on August 11, 2025, directing the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with state governors regarding National Guard deployments.
Congressman Steve Cohen, who represents Memphis in the U.S. House and is Tennessee’s lone Democratic congressman, took issue with Trump’s characterization of the city. “Memphis is not ‘a troubled city,’ as President Trump has said. We have a crime problem,” Cohen stated. He attributed the city’s challenges to historical factors such as slavery, segregation, and under-investment, and argued that long-term solutions require federal investment in proven community programs. “In the short run, the Guard can help the police in a supportive role. In the long run, Memphis needs federal dollars invested in proven programs.”
The decision to target Memphis comes after Trump considered similar interventions in other cities. He had previously floated the idea of deploying federal forces to Chicago, but faced fierce resistance from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and other local leaders, who raised legal and constitutional concerns. Trump also mentioned New Orleans as a potential target, citing the city’s location in a Republican-led state as a factor in the decision-making process. “I would have preferred going to Chicago,” Trump said, referencing the pushback he encountered there.
The deployment has also prompted questions about its scope and duration. Mayor Young voiced concerns about the lack of clarity: “When will they come? How many people are going to come? How long will they be here? What are they going to wear? Where are they going to be, geographically in the city, what assignments will they have? Those are all questions that we have and that we are going to work through together as a community.”
Trump’s approach to crime in major cities has become a defining aspect of his presidency in 2025. He has repeatedly emphasized the need to “straighten out the crime” in urban areas, especially those led by Democratic officials. “We’ll do a few at a time,” he told FOX News. “We’re going to straighten out the crime in these cities.”
Supporters of the move argue that federal intervention is necessary to restore safety and order in cities plagued by violent crime. Rep. David Kustoff, a Republican who represents part of Memphis, applauded Trump’s announcement. “It is important for the long-term success in Memphis to have additional and permanent federal law enforcement officers and agents who can work in conjunction with state and local officials,” Kustoff said. “I will continue to work with the White House to secure these important resources.”
Yet, critics warn that deploying the National Guard or military could erode trust between communities and law enforcement, and may not address the root causes of crime. Local leaders like Mayor Young and Congressman Cohen have stressed the need for comprehensive strategies that include investment in social services, education, and economic opportunity.
As Memphis prepares for the arrival of the National Guard, the city finds itself at the crossroads of a national debate over how best to combat crime. The coming weeks will reveal whether federal intervention brings the relief that some hope for—or the complications that others fear.
