Memphis resident welcomes the National Guard ’s arrival to help clean up crime in the city

Memphis Resident Welcomes National Guard’s Arrival to Tackle City’s Crime Crisis

In a bold move to restore order, President Donald Trump announced on September 12, 2025, the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his nationwide campaign to combat crime in violence-plagued cities. Supported by Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee, this decision has sparked widespread approval among many Memphis residents who see federal intervention as a critical step to address the city’s alarming crime rates. A local resident voiced her enthusiasm, stating that the National Guard’s presence is “truly necessary” to clean up an area she believes has been devastated by crime. This sentiment echoes the frustration of many in a city that, according to 2024 FBI data, recorded the nation’s highest violent crime rate at 2,501.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. #NationalGuard #SafeMemphis #Trump

The initiative, formalized through a presidential memorandum signed on September 15, establishes a Memphis Safe Task Force, comprising not only Tennessee’s National Guard but also the FBI, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals. Flanked by Governor Lee in the Oval Office, President Trump described the effort as a replica of successful operations in Washington, D.C., where over 2,000 National Guard troops have patrolled federal properties and beautified urban parks. Despite claims from the Memphis Police Department that overall crime hit a 25-year low in 2025, with a 13% drop in homicides in the first half of the year, the city still grapples with murder, robbery, and aggravated assault rates far exceeding national averages. The resident emphasized the urgency, noting that crime has hindered Memphis’s potential as the birthplace of rock and roll and home to cultural landmarks like Graceland and Beale Street. #MemphisCrime #LawAndOrder

However, the decision has not been without controversy. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat who ran on a tough-on-crime platform, expressed dismay, stating he did not request the National Guard and does not believe it’s the best way to reduce crime. Despite his opposition, Young pledged to work with federal and state officials to ensure community-focused efforts. Meanwhile, residents like Britney Thornton, a commissioner in the predominantly Black Orange Mound neighborhood, argued that the National Guard should support community initiatives, such as aiding organizers in unsafe areas or assisting with urban cleanup, rather than focusing on punitive measures like increased traffic stops. Despite these concerns, conservatives, including Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representative David Kustoff, have championed the move, viewing it as President Trump’s commitment to restoring safety in a city they argue has been mismanaged by Democratic leadership. #PaulYoung #MarshaBlackburn

The support from Memphis residents, like the anonymous citizen who celebrated the National Guard’s arrival, underscores growing frustration with perceived inaction on crime. The city, with a 63% Black population, faces systemic challenges, including lax state gun laws and limited access to education and basic resources, as Thornton noted. Yet, for many, federal intervention offers tangible hope. Local businesses, such as Mortimer’s Restaurant in East Memphis, have offered free meals to troops, reflecting community support. President Trump, inspired by a conversation with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who described needing armored vehicles to navigate Memphis, prioritized the city over others like Chicago, where Democratic leaders resisted intervention. This strategic choice highlights Trump’s focus on partnering with Republican-led states to advance his “law and order” agenda. #RestoreSafety #JimVena

The National Guard’s arrival in Memphis marks a pivotal moment in Trump’s mission to fulfill his campaign promise to “Make America Safe Again.” As residents await details on the Guard’s operations, which may include patrols, logistical support, and coordination with local police, the city stands at a crossroads between optimism for safety and skepticism about militarization. For conservatives, this intervention is a bold step to restore order in an iconic city deserving of its former glory. The anonymous resident’s voice resonates as a reminder that, for many, safety is an urgent priority transcending political divides. #MakeAmericaSafe #Memphis