President Donald Trump announced that the National Guard will be deployed to Memphis, making it the next U.S. city targeted in an effort to address record-high crime rates.
“We’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled. The mayor – he’s a Democrat mayor – is happy, the governor is happy…Deepy troubled. We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington,” Trump said on Friday’s edition of Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.”
“We’ll bring in the military too, if we need it,” Trump added.
🚨 BREAKING: "We're going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled… We're going to fix that just like we did Washington." pic.twitter.com/I5Owl0ueOK
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 12, 2025
Trump said he spoke with an individual who serves on the board of FedEx, which is headquartered in Memphis, who said his security does not allow him to walk “one block” to his hotel in the city.
“They put [him] in an armored vehicle with bullet-proof glass…He said it’s so terrible,” Trump said.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Memphis ranks as the most dangerous city in the U.S., with a violent crime rate of 2,501 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The president’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Memphis was cheered by Tennessee officials.
State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), who has advocated for federal assistance in cracking down on crime in his district, said he is “optimistic” the National Guard’s presence in the city will “make for a safer Memphis and Shelby County.”
“Public safety is the first responsibility of government. Unfortunately, Memphians and all of West Tennesseans alike are suffering from unacceptable crime-fatigue…The best way to Make Memphis Matter, is to Make Memphis Safe,” Taylor added.
U.S. Senator and Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) thanked Trump for “restoring law and order in Democrat-run cities that refuse to crack down on violent crime in favor of soft-on-crime agendas,” adding “Let’s Make Memphis Safe Again.”
U.S. Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08), whose district includes parts of Memphis, also thanked Trump for his “commitment to curb violent crime.”
“I support President Trump’s decision to send the National Guard to Memphis…It is important for the long term success in Memphis to have additional and permanent federal law enforcement officers and agents who can work in conjunction with state and local officials. I will continue to work with the White House to secure these important resources,” Kustoff said.
Tennessee House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) added, “Memphis holds more possibilities, opportunities, richer stories, better music, and more flavorful food than just about any other city around. It is truly a Tennessee treasure. Yet crime has too often overshadowed and undermined the good this city has to offer. That’s why I’m encouraged by Trump’s efforts to bring additional support to help restore the promise of Memphis, the vibrant city on the Mississippi that deserves to shine.”
The deployment of National Guard troops comes days after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee directed 50 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers to Memphis to assist the Memphis Police Department with combating crime as part of “Operation Viper.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Tennessee National Guard” by Tennessee National Guard.
Bill Lee, the state Senate and the House have done nothing to combat crime. The guard definitely a help, but if the Governor and Legislature would have done something then it would have not been necessary. It won’t fix anything long term because the problems are
Weak laws, liberal Judges, woke DAs, parole boards with no accountability and easy low bail.
Finally ! the Shelby County cleansing begins.
Surely the “soft on crime” judges and DA’s are gone by now ?
Yall dont forget to capture every illegal charged with a crime either.
Great News Tennesseans and Thank you Army National Guard.
This is just one of uncountable actions President Trump has taken that continues to draw voters to the republican brand. It’s unfathomable that the democrats have continued down the leftist/globalist path of DEI, reverse racism, LGBTQXYZ, transgenderism, illegal immigration, no cash bail, etc. while it’s so obvious that the general population of America is sick and tired of the democrats anti-American crap.
I have now read two articles stating that high school students have been wearing suits and ties to school as a form of remembrance for Mr. Kirk, and as a show of solidarity to conservative values. These are Americas future voters and they appear to be on the right path.
Democrats, please just keep up you anti-America behavior. American needs another conservative leader elected in 2028.