President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, in an effort to combat rising crime rates. This decision marks a significant use of presidential power to send military forces into American cities. Trump made the announcement during a meeting with Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee at the White House.

The National Guard will join a special task force in Memphis that includes officials from various federal agencies, such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Trump stated that the initiative aims to replicate the success of similar efforts in Washington, D.C. He remarked, "This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here. And, you’ll see it’s a lot of the same thing."

Details regarding the timeline for troop deployment and the specific strategies for law enforcement have not been disclosed. However, the presidential memorandum indicated that assistance from out-of-state law enforcement, including state police from neighboring Mississippi and Arkansas, may be utilized as needed.

Trump noted that the FBI has already increased its activities in Memphis, which is Tennessee's second-largest city and has a majority Black population. He claimed that these efforts have contributed to a reduction in crime, but emphasized, "We’re sending in the big force now."

Prior to the announcement, the White House highlighted that Memphis's total crime rate exceeds the national average and has reportedly increased since last year, despite local police reporting a decrease in major crime categories in the first eight months of 2025. Overall crime in Memphis has reached a 25-year low, with homicides at a six-year low. Nevertheless, the city has struggled with persistent gun violence, recording over 390 homicides in 2023.

Governor Lee expressed support for the deployment, stating he is "tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back." He was joined by Tennessee's Republican senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, during the announcement.

The decision to send the National Guard has faced criticism from local leaders. Memphis Mayor Paul Young stated, "I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime." He acknowledged the city's challenges but expressed a desire to influence the Guard's role in the community, suggesting they could assist with traffic control and monitoring police cameras.

Some local Democrats have called for opposition to the deployment, with Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer suggesting the city or county could consider legal action.

Speculation has arisen regarding potential future deployments in other cities, particularly Chicago. Trump indicated that Chicago might be next, despite facing resistance from local authorities, including Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker. He stated, "We’re going to be doing Chicago probably next," while also mentioning other cities like New Orleans, Baltimore, and St. Louis as possible candidates for troop deployments in the future. Trump concluded, "We want to save these places."