U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday said that the federal Memphis Safe Task Force made more than 50 arrests and recovered 20 illegal guns during the first 48 hours of deployment to Memphis.
“In just 48 hours, our Memphis Safe Task Force has made 53 arrests and seized 20 illegal firearms,” wrote Bondi in a post to X.
Describing the results of one action by the task force, Bondi wrote, “Yesterday, a missing juvenile was located and three firearms were recovered at the home of a murder suspect.”
In just 48 hours, our Memphis Safe Task Force has made 53 arrests and seized 20 illegal firearms.
Yesterday, a missing juvenile was located and three firearms were recovered at the home of a murder suspect.
At @POTUS direction, we are making America safe again! 🇺🇸
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) October 1, 2025
The majority of arrests appear to have occurred on Tuesday, as Bondi wrote in a previous update that federal law enforcement made just nine arrests and recovered only two firearms during the first day of the task force’s deployment.
She also confirmed that 219 officers had received special deputy status to operate in the city.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young reiterated his stance that the federal deployment would be beneficial for public safety in Memphis, as he commented during a Tuesday town hall event.
“All of this is about building upon the success that we’ve already built,” said the mayor, according to Fox 13 Memphis. “I think we’re still working through how they’re going to fold into some of the things that are working within MPD. We know that we’ve seen historic reductions in crime over the past 20 or so months and we want to continue to build upon that.”
Young reportedly told the crowd, “We do have every reason to believe that they are going to be collaborative in working with our police department throughout this process.”
His comments echoed those of Rev. Reginald Tucker of Orange Mound Outreach Ministries, who Fox 13 reported urged the agencies to use the federal deployment as a recruitment opportunity.
“Don’t just sit on the corner with your gun. Talk to the young men,” said Tucker, according to the outlet. “Give them an opportunity to learn if they want to join the armed forces.”
The mayor also confirmed during the town hall that National Guard troops had yet to deploy in Memphis, according to ABC 24, indicating various federal law enforcement agencies performed the 53 arrests announced by Bondi.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
