Memphis Mayor Responds to Trump’s National Guard Plan

Memphis Mayor Paul Young addressed President Trump’s statements on Saturday regarding the deployment of the National Guard to Tennessee, clarifying that he was “certainly not happy” about it. In an interview with CNN, Young expressed his concerns about the federal assistance.

“The authority to call the National Guard lies with the governor and the president. As mayor, my aim is to ensure that if they do come, we have a say in how they’ll engage with our community,” Young stated.

He added, “Regarding the National Guard, it’s not something we can choose. We’ll do everything possible to ensure their involvement is limited to our community.” His comments followed Trump’s suggestion during an interview on Fox News that both Young and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee were pleased about Memphis being targeted for federal crime-fighting measures.

Trump remarked, “We’re going to Memphis, which is deeply troubled,” and claimed that the mayor was happy about the situation, characterizing him as the “Democratic mayor.”

The president compared his strategy for Memphis to actions taken in Washington, D.C., where National Guard troops and federal law enforcement were deployed last month to address crime issues. However, it remains unclear when these forces will arrive in Tennessee.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for commentary on the matter.

FBI statistics reflected that Memphis recorded the highest crime rate per 100,000 people last year. Mayor Young acknowledged the city’s ongoing efforts to combat crime, stating that while additional support is welcome, significant progress has been made.

“We are looking to invest in our current strategies for handling crime,” he said, mentioning past budget cuts since he took office. “Ultimately, my goal is to ensure we have clarity on our plans if they are present.”