Trump's Crime Crackdown Expands to Memphis Amid Local Concerns

Tue Sep 30 2025 09:38:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a bid to address rising crime rates in Memphis, President Trump announces a new task force, but local leaders express concerns over federal intervention.

President Trump has initiated a crackdown on crime in Memphis, Tennessee, deploying a task force similar to previous efforts in Washington, D.C. This decision occurs amidst increasing crime rates in the city. Local officials, including Mayor Paul Young, have voiced their opposition, arguing that crime is already on the decline and expressing a desire to maintain local control over the situation. As the initiative unfolds, there are growing concerns about the implications of federal involvement in community policing.

US President Donald Trump, alongside Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, unveiled a task force aimed at addressing rising crime rates in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday.

This Democratic-led city becomes the second location to experience a Trump administration crime crackdown, following previous actions in Washington, D.C.

Trump pledged to tackle the city's crime issues after previously considering similar measures for Chicago, which were abandoned due to pushback from local and state authorities.

Mayor Paul Young of Memphis has publicly opposed the federal intervention, stating that crime rates in the city have been declining independently.

Despite this, President Trump asserted that Memphis is currently overrun with criminal activities including carjackings and shootings. At a memorandum-signing event in the Oval Office, he stated, We're not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore, and noted, We have virtually no crime in DC right now, and we're going to keep it that way.

The newly formed task force is set to replicate the strategies implemented in Washington, D.C., incorporating federal agencies like the National Guard, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and others. Governor Lee endorsed the strategy for its potential to contribute to sustained crime reduction.

However, Mayor Young expressed his discontent with the National Guard's deployment, being informed of the plan through Trump's comments on Fox News the day before. He emphasized the need for local input in how federal forces should navigate community relations.

The crime rates in Memphis have been alarming. According to 2024 FBI stats, the city's violent crime rate stands at 2,501 incidents per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the U.S. With 41 homicides per 100,000, Memphis tops the homicide rankings, ahead of cities like Baltimore and Chicago.

The proclamation comes after a period of speculation regarding Trump's next steps in deploying federal resources to combat crime, with other cities such as New Orleans and Baltimore also being mentioned in discussions.

Earlier this year, Trump ordered the police department of Washington D.C. to adopt stricter measures, prompting significant arrests and firearm confiscations, signs he claims demonstrate the effectiveness of his approach.

Despite administration claims of success, the involvement of the National Guard is met with apprehension from many city residents, with legal scholars questioning the legality and appropriateness of utilizing military forces for domestic policing.