Tennessee House lawmakers have expressed concern over President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy National Guard resources to Memphis. On Friday, they stated that, despite ongoing anti-crime efforts, the city does not feel any safer.
Representative Steve Cohen, who represents the area, mentioned, “I don’t want the National Guard here in Memphis.” He emphasized that improving crime rates would require better investments in proven programs rather than a “Trump Show 2.0” approach, referring to previous National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C.
“This is about Trump trying to project toughness,” Cohen added, suggesting that such actions might harm the local economy, particularly affecting tourism and the construction sector.
Additionally, lawmakers pointed out that during Trump’s involvement in the region’s security earlier in the year, they had not observed any significant improvements in safety. Cohen, who splits his time between D.C. and Tennessee, noted, “In my 19 years here, I haven’t noticed any changes in safety levels since Trump used National Guard in D.C.”
He also highlighted that, although there is crime in the capital, it has been on a decline, aligning with national trends. Cohen dismissed Trump’s recent assertion that D.C. is now the “safest town in the world,” calling it untrue.
Moreover, while acknowledging Memphis’s historical struggles with racism and other societal challenges that have contributed to crime, Cohen stressed that it should not be labeled as the “problemous city” the president suggested.
“Yes, we have a crime issue, but it’s not that simple. This has been influenced by a long history of systemic racism and lack of educational opportunities,” he stated.
The White House has been contacted for comment regarding these concerns.
