Tennessee governor says state is preparing for more federal agents to combat crime in Memphis

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — After weeks of anticipation, Memphis residents have received details concerning the deployment of National Guard troops to their city, announced by President Donald Trump. The plan, revealed on Friday, indicates a significant departure from previous deployments seen in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee stated that the National Guard troops would be part of a comprehensive initiative to combat rising crime rates in Memphis, involving collaboration with 13 federal agencies alongside state troopers. The troops, specifically from Tennessee, will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to enhance local law enforcement efforts.

Governor Lee emphasized that the National Guard members will not be authorized to make arrests and will remain unarmed unless requested by local law enforcement. Initially, he projected a limited deployment of about 150 troops, though he acknowledged that numbers are still being finalized.

According to a statement on the city’s official website, “Guardsmen and women will be easily identifiable in their standard uniforms that they wear every day. The guardsmen and women will not be wearing masks.” The statement added that “armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission.”

“The narrative surrounding crime in Memphis is about to become a relic of the past,” Lee proclaimed during a press conference alongside city officials, including the Memphis mayor and police chief.

The “Memphis Safe Task Force” is set to kick off operations as early as next week, although Governor Lee noted that the deployment would occur in phases without providing a precise timeline. He did confirm that agents from several federal agencies, including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, would begin arriving next week. Lee clarified that there would be no state of emergency declared.

Previously, Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles amidst significant opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued against federal intervention for local issues. This deployment led to a lawsuit from California challenging federal authority over state National Guard units.

In Memphis, Mayor Paul Young has adopted a practical stance, acknowledging that he had not specifically requested the National Guard presence, yet finds himself in a position to utilize the additional resources for the betterment of the community. “My priority is to ensure that these resources are utilized effectively for the benefit of our residents,” Young noted during the press conference. He also pointed out that while crime rates have seen a decline in Memphis, further effort is necessary.

Both Mayor Young and Governor Lee asserted that this surge in resources is intended as a long-term commitment rather than a quick solution.

“This initiative will operate for as long as it is needed,” affirmed Lee.

“Our vision of success is a Memphis where families feel safe, where businesses thrive without concern, and where the city is recognized as one of the safest in America. That will be the true measure of success,” he added.

Alongside the federal support, Governor Lee announced that Tennessee would contribute $100 million toward Memphis’s public safety initiatives and deploy an additional 300 state troopers, allowing for 100 to be active in the area at any given time. Currently, the Memphis Police Department employs over 2,000 full-time officers complemented by more than 600 deputies in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, with further personnel in corrections.

Trump’s announcement on September 12 regarding the deployment to Memphis came via a Fox News interview, followed by an executive order on September 15 to establish the multi-agency task force.

The conversation about further deployments remains fluid, with Trump suggesting the National Guard could potentially assist cities such as Chicago in the future, pending governors’ requests.