Trump targets Memphis for next phase of law enforcement surge
President Donald Trump is bringing his law-and-order playbook to Memphis, Tennessee, with a bold plan to tame the city’s spiraling crime rates. During a lively Fox & Friends interview on Friday, he unveiled a strategy to deploy federal resources, including the National Guard, to restore safety, as Breitbart reports. This move signals a no-nonsense approach to urban chaos, rooted in his recent success in Washington, D.C.
Trump’s announcement targets Memphis’s troubling crime wave, following a proven model that slashed violence in the nation’s capital.
He cited his administration’s Washington, D.C., initiative, where federalized law enforcement and National Guard activation led to dramatic drops in crime. Memphis, with its Democratic mayor and Republican governor on board, seems poised for a similar turnaround.
In early August, Trump invoked section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to take control of Washington’s law enforcement.
The results were striking: murders plummeted by 60%, car thefts dropped 35%, and auto burglaries fell 40% in just three weeks, according to a Sept. 8 CNN report. This data-driven success story is what Trump hopes to replicate in Memphis.
Washington’s crackdown success
The Washington experiment wasn’t just a flash in the pan. By federalizing police efforts and activating the National Guard, Trump’s team brought measurable relief to a city plagued by violence. Progressive critics may scoff, but numbers don’t lie -- crime tanked, and residents felt safer.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, didn’t just sit idly by. She issued an order for the D.C. Metropolitan Police to keep collaborating with federal forces indefinitely.
This pragmatic move shows even left-leaning leaders can’t ignore results when public safety is at stake.
The Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center, born from Trump’s Safe and Beautiful Task Force, continues to guide Washington’s efforts. Bowser’s support for this initiative proves that effective governance can bridge partisan divides. Memphis could benefit from this same bipartisan spirit.
Memphis welcomes assistance
Trump’s pivot to Memphis wasn’t his first choice -- Chicago was initially on the table. But Illinois’ Democrat leaders, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, pushed back hard against federal intervention. Their resistance, rooted in progressive dogma, left Chicago’s streets to fend for themselves.
Memphis, however, is a different story. Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, have signaled their support for Trump’s plan. This rare unity suggests Memphis is ready to tackle its crime crisis head-on.
“We’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled, and the mayor is happy,” Trump declared on Fox & Friends. His confidence reflects a belief that Memphis can be saved, much like Washington. But skeptics might wonder if federal boots on the ground will clash with local sensibilities.
Bipartisan backing fuels optimism
Trump’s enthusiasm for Memphis isn’t just bluster -- it’s backed by local leaders. “The mayor is happy, and the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy,” he said. This bipartisan buy-in could make all the difference in a city desperate for change.
Memphis’s crime problem isn’t new, but Trump’s approach is. By leveraging federal resources, he aims to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that often hamstrings local police. Critics of “tough on crime” policies might bristle, but residents tired of violence may welcome the help.
Trump’s Washington success wasn’t without its detractors, who called it heavy-handed. Yet the 60% drop in murders speaks louder than progressive talking points. Memphis could see similar results if the plan is executed with precision.
Challenges, opportunities lie ahead
Trump’s Memphis strategy hinges on replicating Washington’s playbook, but every city is unique. Memphis’s challenges -- poverty, gang activity, and strained police resources—require a tailored approach. Blindly copying Washington’s tactics could stir local resentment.
Still, the National Guard’s presence could deter criminals and bolster police morale. Washington’s experience shows that swift, decisive action can yield results, even if it ruffles feathers. Memphis residents, weary of crime, might prioritize safety over ideological debates.
Trump’s crime-fighting crusade is a gamble, but it’s one grounded in results. “We’re going to fix that just like we did in Washington,” he promised. If Memphis sees even half the success of Washington, it could become a model for other struggling cities.





