Federal Task Force in Memphis Reports 53 Arrests and 20 Firearms Seized in Initial 48 Hours

"...Miller called the task force an “all of government, unlimited support operation” that would make the city “safer than any of you could ever possibly imagine.”..."

"...He predicted that “businesses and investment are going to pour in, and Memphis will be richer than ever before.”..."

"...“We’re not here to second guess you,” Hegseth told them. “We’re here to have your back — to unleash you to do your jobs so you come home safely.”..."

"...Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents Memphis in Congress, said he was disappointed to learn about the visit in the media...."

"...In a letter to Hegseth and Bondi, he urged them to be more collaborative and expressed concern about the “wartime rhetoric” coming from the Trump administration...."

"...“Memphians are not enemies; they are Americans,” Cohen said. “They are entitled to constitutional rights, not their government working to ‘intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill’ them. We are not a training ground or target practice.”..."

"...The task force is part of a larger effort by Trump to use National Guard troops and surge federal law enforcement in cities, particularly ones controlled by Democrats...."

"...Following troop deployments in the District of Columbia and Los Angeles, he referred to Portland, Oregon, as “war-ravaged” and threatened apocalyptic force in Chicago...."

"...Speaking Tuesday to U.S. military leaders in Virginia, Trump proposed using cities as training grounds for the armed forces...."

"...Opponents of the deployment say it is an unnecessary federal occupation of a majority-Black city that instead needs more funding to address poverty and other drivers of crime...."

"...Supporters see it as a welcomed infusion of law enforcement for a city that still needs help battling violence...."

"...Across the country in Oregon, meanwhile, members of that state’s National Guard reported for duty Wednesday...."

"...The troops were “preparing to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing federal functions, including the enforcement of federal law, and to protect federal property in Oregon,” the Pentagon said in a statement...."

"...It could be several days before they are deployed to federal buildings, the Oregon Military Department’s director for government and legislative affairs, Russell Gibson, told state lawmakers Tuesday...."

"...The troops will come from a military police company and an infantry company, he said...."

"...Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is attempting to block the deployment, with a hearing in the case scheduled for Friday...."

"...Federal agents have conducted hundreds of immigration arrests in Chicago since last month, primarily through traffic stops and targeting day laborers and homes in predominantly Latino and immigrant-heavy neighborhoods...."

"...At least 37 people were arrested early Tuesday at an apartment building in the predominantly Black South Shore neighborhood...."

"...The location was chosen due to alleged connections to the Tren de Aragua gang, the Department of Homeland Security said...."

"...Immigrant rights activists called it further escalation of an operation that has seen armed Border Patrol agents make arrests at famous downtown landmarks...."

"...Illinois leaders say they are also bracing for the administration to dispatch military troops...."