Trump says he will deploy National Guard to Memphis to combat crime

President Donald Trump said Sept. 12 he plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, to address crime in the city. 

“We’re going to Memphis,” Trump said in a FOX News interview. “We’ll straighten that out.”

He added that he will send “the National Guard and anybody we need, and by the way, we’ll bring in the military too if we need it. But we’re going to straighten out the crime in these cities.” 

The President said both Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, support the move. 

However, at a press conference after Trump’s announcement on Sept. 12, Young said, “I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don’t think it's the way to drive down crime,” ABC 24 reported. 

He added that “crime is still too high, and there’s still too many victims.” 

The mayor called for more funding and long-term partnerships with the state, the federal government, and community partners “to address the root causes of violent crime.” 

Young said his “ultimate goal” is to ensure the city can “access resources for outreach and rehabilitation for people who've may already made bad decisions in their lives” and “invest in the programs that truly address the trauma and much-needed mental health services that are needed in our community."

Lee noted that he has been working with the Trump administration on a plan to combat crime in Memphis using both federal and state resources. He said the operation will bring together the Tennessee National Guard, FBI, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Memphis police, and other agencies.

“I’m grateful for the President’s unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians,” Lee said in a statement, according to ABC 24, “and I look forward to working with local officials and law enforcement to continue delivering results.”