BREAKING: Trump establishes Memphis Safe Task Force to crack down on crime

President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum creating the Memphis Safe Task Force, an interagency initiative modeled on Washington, DC’s crime crackdown and aimed at addressing violent crime in the Tennessee city.

“We have to save our country from vioIent crime!” Trump said in remarks at the White House. “Our team will deploy the full powers of federal law enforcement agencies and enforcement generally to restore public safety and get dangerous career criminals off of our streets.”

Trump pointed to  Memphis’s crime record: “In 2024, Memphis had the highest violent crime rate, the highest property crime rate, and the third highest murder rate of any city in the nation. Other than that, they’re doing quite well.”

The memorandum establishes a task force to coordinate federal, state, and local efforts against street and violent crime, according to a Fact Sheet released by the White House. It directs the Secretary of War to request Tennessee National Guard units for deployment and authorizes coordination with Memphis police, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and other agencies. National Guard personnel from other states could also be mobilized.

According to the White House, Memphis has seen 150 murders so far this year, with rates of murder, robbery, and aggravated assault among the highest in the country. Officials framed the move as necessary federal intervention after local government was unable to contain the problem.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who attended the announcement in the Oval Office, expressed support: “I’m grateful for the President’s unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians.”

Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller said the administration would use federal power to target violent offenders. “Whether you are a domestic terrorist or a vioIent gang member or drug trafficker, a Tren de Aragua kiIIer, President Trump is saying he’s going to use his FBI, his [DoW], his DEA to WIPE YOU OUT and put you behind bars.”

During an appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday, Trump said he had “preferred” to send troops to Chicago but noted an immigration enforcement operation is currently underway there. “We’ll straighten out the National Guard and anybody else we need,” he said.

Trump has consistently criticized violent crime in Democrat-led cities, which has received criticism from local officials. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have both pushed back against the idea of deploying federal troops to Chicago.

The president has recently suggested focusing on Democrat-controlled cities in Republican-led states, which could lead to closer cooperation with local officials. He has floated sending troops to New Orleans, a proposal Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has publicly supported.

Governor Lee applauded the idea of the deployment prior to its announcement.

“I’m grateful for the President’s unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians,” Lee said in a statement. “Memphis remains on a path to greatness, and we are not going to let anything hold them back.”

During the Fox News Interview on Friday, Trump said, “The mayor is happy” regarding the plan to send National Guard troops. While Memphis Mayor Paul Young acknowledged on Friday that the city’s crime statistics are troubling, he distanced himself from the Trump administration’s plan in full.