US President Donald Trump, joined by Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, on Monday established a task force to combat crime in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Democratic-led city is the second to face a Trump administration crackdown on crime, following Washington, D.C. Trump has promised to 'fix' Memphis after abandoning similar plans for Chicago amid local opposition.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young has expressed his discontent, asserting that crime is already decreasing without federal interference. However, Trump argues that Memphis is being 'overrun' with carjackings, robberies, and shootings, stating, 'We're not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore.'
The newly formed task force will replicate the strategies used in Washington, D.C., involving federal bodies such as the National Guard, FBI, and others. Mayor Young has voiced concerns about the plan, explaining that he wishes to influence how the National Guard operates within the community.
In a state characterized by high violent crime rates—Memphis reported 2,501 per 100,000 people in 2024—Republican lawmakers, including Governor Lee, have backed Trump's initiative. Both are keen to access federal and state resources to address the rampant crime.
Despite the intentions behind this move, many local residents are wary of the presence of National Guard troops in their neighborhoods, echoing concerns raised by legal experts regarding the legality of deploying military resources for domestic law enforcement.
Following weeks of speculation about potential targets for federal crime-fighting efforts, Memphis emerged as a focal point, alongside mentions of New Orleans and Baltimore, which received mixed responses from local leaders.
The discussion around the implementation of the Memphis task force continues, highlighting the ongoing debate over the effectiveness and legality of federal intervention in city crime policies.
