Trump Plans to Send National Guard to Memphis

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his broader initiative to tackle crime across the nation.

Since starting his crime-fighting efforts in Washington, D.C., Trump has contemplated extending the National Guard’s reach to additional cities struggling with safety concerns. He mentioned that he aims to bring in the National Guard and, in his words, “other people in need” to assist in addressing crime in Memphis.

“Maybe I should mention it now; we’re headed to Memphis again. It’s a city facing significant challenges. The mayor, who, by the way, is a Democrat, seems pleased, and so does the governor of Tennessee, though the situation is quite troubled,” Trump stated.

He often touched on his anticipated visit to Chicago, but in a recent interview, he expressed a desire to be welcomed by local leaders during his trip.

Trump revealed he chose to visit Memphis after discussing crime issues with the head of Union Pacific. It seems this conversation prompted him to consider what cities should be prioritized next, with Memphis emerging as a key area of focus. He reflected on his experience walking a block in the city, where he was, understandably, placed in a bulletproof vehicle for safety. “He said it was terrible,” Trump remarked, illustrating the concern over safety in the area.

Previously, a question was raised to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt regarding Trump’s willingness to collaborate with the Republican governor to tackle crime in blue cities, citing Memphis as a specific example. Leavitt responded that Democrats often argue about high crime rates in red states while ignoring challenges in blue cities like Memphis. She emphasized that the President is open to working with anyone committed to restoring law and order and pointed out successful collaboration between D.C.’s mayor and federal authorities as evidence of this commitment.