President Trump Announces National Guard Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

President Donald Trump announced plans on Friday to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his administration's efforts to combat crime.

During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Trump described Memphis as "deeply troubled" and stated, "We're going to fix that, just like we did in Washington." He indicated that the deployment could include federal forces, the National Guard, and potentially the military if necessary.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed support for the initiative, stating he would collaborate with the Trump administration to finalize the details. "I'm grateful for the President's unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians," Lee said.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young confirmed the impending deployment but noted that he did not request the National Guard's presence. He emphasized the need for more information regarding the specifics of the deployment, including the number of personnel, duration, and operational details.

Recent data from the city indicates a significant decrease in crime. As of September 11, 2025, there have been 29,978 reported crime incidents in Memphis, marking a 44% drop from the same period in 2024, which recorded 53,805 incidents. Homicides have also decreased by nearly 30%, with 182 reported incidents in 2025 compared to 261 during the same period last year.

The announcement follows similar federal interventions in other cities, including Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, as part of the administration's broader strategy to address urban crime.