Trump Launches Crime Crackdown Task Force in Memphis, Igniting Controversy

Tue Sep 16 2025 03:18:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump announces a new initiative aimed at addressing crime in Memphis, Tennessee, involving federal agency collaboration and stirring resistance from local leaders.

In a move to combat crime in Memphis, President Trump has established a task force, mirroring efforts in Washington DC, despite objections from local officials arguing that crime is already declining. Trump highlighted the rise in violent crime as the impetus for this intervention, which includes the deployment of federal agencies like the National Guard and FBI. The initiative follows speculation about federal resources moving from Chicago to other cities struggling with crime, raising questions about the legality and public approval of such actions.

US President Donald Trump, joined by Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee, on Monday established a task force to take on crime in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Democratic-led city is the second to face a Trump administration crackdown on crime, following Washington DC.

Trump has vowed to fix the city after shelving plans for a similar operation in Chicago, reportedly due to opposition from local and state officials.

Memphis' mayor, Paul Young, also has voiced opposition to the plan, arguing that crime already is falling without federal intervention.

The president stated that Memphis is overrun with carjackings, robberies, and shootings, saying, We're not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore. He described the Memphis task force as a replica of efforts in DC, planning to engage federal agencies including the National Guard and FBI to tackle rising crime rates.

Despite Trump's stern stance, local leaders, including Mayor Young, have reservations about the federal deployment, preferring to have greater control over how federal forces operate in their community. Young emphasized his commitment to ensuring limited negative impacts from the federal presence.

FBI statistics indicate Memphis has a high violent crime rate at 2,501 per 100,000 people, prompting further scrutiny of Trump's approach to addressing crime.

Critics continue to question the legality of deploying National Guard troops in US cities and express concern over community relations, highlighting the need for thorough discussions between federal and local authorities.