On the 15th of September, 2025, a presidential memorandum was endorsed by President Trump in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. The purpose of this decree was to mobilize the National Guard and various federal law enforcement agencies towards Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis was identified by the President as the subsequent urban center to necessitate federal intervention, primarily to tackle escalating crime rates. The strategy plan included deploying National Guard servicemen, mirroring the actions Trump had previously championed in Washington, D.C.
In a pre-week meeting within the confines of the Oval Office, President Trump formalized a federal task force assigned to Memphis. The President portrayed this initiative as akin to the steps taken in Washington, D.C., where commendable contributions have been made by more than 2000 National Guardsmen who have been stationed there for over four weeks. The majority of these dedicated troops were seen either safeguarding federal properties or improving public park aesthetics.
Trump held a discussion on Monday where he underscored the significance of this intervention, blaming rampant crime for necessitating such measures – not just in Memphis, but other cities as well. According to him, the devised task force would be a collaborative effort comprising the state National Guard, FBI, immigration officials, and U.S Marshals among other federal entities. However, the memo did not present clear-cut information regarding the timeline of troop deployment or how law enforcement endeavours would be executed in the city.
The memorandum hinted that external assistance might be roped in, including potential National Guard personnel from other states. This military deployment in Memphis represents a broader intention by President Trump to bolster purported anti-crime initiatives across the nation; there seems to be a specific interest towards urban areas led by Democratic officials.
Trump’s consistent inclination towards enforcing federal interference upon urban locations has posed challenges concerning the limits of presidential powers and military implementation. In case of Memphis, it would be the first instance where federal intervention occurred in a state governed by a Republican leader who supports the plan. The Tennessee governor, Lee, expressed frustration over escalating crime inhibiting the prosperity of Memphis, a perspective diverging from that held by the Memphis Mayor, Paul Young, who is a Democrat.
Mayor Young communicated his disapproval, saying he did not request the National Guard and does not see this as a viable solution to curtail crime in his city. During a press briefing, he conceded that the city had indeed been consistently appearing high on various undesirable lists. The party leaders’ viewpoints on Trump’s Memphis plan have unsurprisingly fallen along party lines.
The White House has defended this initiative by stating the deployment is meant to ‘reestablish public safety’ as Memphis, having a majority Black population, has been battling long-lasting issues tied to violent crime. Mayor Young, speaking to the press, committed to collaborating closely with the deployment, aspiring to foster trust within the community whilst continuing local law enforcement efforts.
According to Young, ‘We might not have control over the National Guard, but our goal is to ensure we influence how they engage with this community’. He further posited that federal authorities should concentrate on addressing the root causes of violent crime such as mental health accessibility, housing, and educational programs.
In the recent past, President Trump has also channelled National Guard troops towards Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., primarily with the motive of curbing high crime rates. However, statistics indicate a decline in violent crime in these areas in recent years. When faced with the Los Angeles situation, Governor Gavin Newsom was vocally critical of the deployment.
Newsom argued that such a measure undermined local authority and contravened the law. Despite this, Trump exercised federal control over the state guard in a remarkable decision, eventually deploying them along with Marines to suppress protests against federal immigration arrests.
In Washington, D.C., where the National Guard has maintained a presence for more than a month, the President has the right to enact such a mobilization owing to the Home Rule Act. This law grants him the power to command D.C.’s National Guard – a privilege that does not extend to other cities.
Regarding Memphis, experts opine that given Governor Lee’s support for the plan, it legally stands on firmer ground. Still, it’s considered unconventional, even highly unprecedented. A commentator named Brooks noted, ‘This serves to acclimate Americans to the idea that this is the new normal, suggesting we should adapt, but to many, it’s both intimidating and chilling’.
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