A mother in Memphis has praised President Trump’s federal crime crackdown, claiming it has silenced the gunfire that local leaders failed to address, allowing her children the freedom to play outside. Dalisia Ballinger expressed her relief, saying, “For once, I’m walking to my mailbox and it’s quiet. I’m hearing the birds chirp, children are playing in the street, and fathers are enjoying a game of football.”
Ballinger, a former journalist and a victim of violent crime herself, has become a vocal advocate for the Memphis Safe Task Force, particularly as it approaches its first anniversary. However, this newfound activism has placed her in conflict with Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who is embroiled in a lawsuit against two new state oversight laws. This has led to a petition urging Mulroy to move away from legal battles and clarify how his office deals with cases tied to the task force.
Ballinger firmly stated, “Public safety should not be up for debate. I don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat.” The multi-agency operation in Memphis, initiated by Trump through a presidential memorandum on September 15, 2025, aimed to combat street and violent crime by coordinating efforts across federal, state, and local levels. It is spearheaded by the U.S. Marshals and includes the Tennessee National Guard.
As per the White House, the operation has resulted in over 12,000 arrests since its inception, including numerous arrests for homicides and gang-related offenses, as well as the confiscation of illegal firearms and the recovery of missing children. Despite these figures, overall crime rates in the city have shown a near 36% decrease from the previous year, but questions linger about how much of this drop can be attributed to the federal task force.
Ballinger has noted that the most significant change for her is not just in statistics but in the reality of her neighborhood. She vividly recounted a past shooting incident nearby, which instilled fear and led to a family’s departure from their home. Now, with the presence of the Memphis Safe Task Force, she finally feels her children can safely play outside.
However, some supporters are concerned that the arrests’ impact may be undermined if cases are later overlooked or dismissed without proper justification. A petition titled “Stop Memphis DA From Protecting Criminals” has garnered nearly 10,000 signatures, calling on Mulroy to abandon his legal actions against oversight laws aimed at increasing accountability for his office’s decisions regarding task force cases.
Those laws mandate regular reporting of any settlements or dismissals related to task force cases and allow for state scrutiny of prosecution decisions. Mulroy contends these laws unfairly target Shelby County and encroach on his office’s autonomy, a stance he elaborated upon during the filing of his lawsuit. Meanwhile, the petition’s supporters feel that the sweeping changes initiated by Trump have brought substantial improvements to Memphis, emphasizing the need for transparency in prosecutorial decisions.
Ballinger made it clear that the push for accountability isn’t just a partisan issue; it’s about ensuring safety and justice for families. “We have children. We have regular people that might not even be into politics,” she said, asserting that the desire for peace transcends political lines. While some residents express concerns over law enforcement practices, Ballinger believes that there should be a balance that continues to support the safety improvements they have experienced.
As the anniversary of the Memphis Safe Task Force approaches, it has become less about government numbers and more about the visible changes in the community. Ballinger reflected, “It was noticeably enough to where it’s like, ‘Wow, there’s kids actually outside playing.’”
