President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will send National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, to address rising crime concerns. This decision comes with the backing of both Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican.

During an interview on Fox News, Trump stated, "Memphis is deeply troubled," and expressed his intent to replicate the success of previous National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C. He emphasized, "We're going to fix that, just like we did in Washington."

Trump indicated that the deployment could involve not only the National Guard but also federal forces and potentially active military personnel if necessary. He remarked, "And anybody else we need," highlighting his commitment to addressing crime in the city.

The president noted that local leaders should seek federal assistance, claiming he has the support of Tennessee officials. He said, "The mayor is happy. He's a Democrat mayor, the mayor is happy. And the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy."

Despite Trump's assertions, crime statistics from Memphis show a significant decline in reported incidents over the past year. As of September 11, 2025, there were 29,978 reported crime incidents, a 44% decrease from the same period in 2024, which recorded 53,805 incidents. Homicides also dropped nearly 30%, with 182 reported this year compared to 261 last year.

Trump's announcement follows a pattern of deploying National Guard troops to various cities, particularly those led by Democratic mayors. He has previously sent troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., amid protests and unrest. In recent weeks, he has threatened to send troops to Chicago, citing its crime rate, which has drawn criticism from local leaders.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have publicly opposed Trump's plans, with Pritzker stating, "I want to help people, not hurt them," in response to the president's threats. Trump, however, remains adamant about the need for federal intervention, asserting, "You're about to lose Chicago. I can fix Chicago, much bigger than D.C., but we can bring in the military. We can bring in the National Guard. We'll do what we have to do."

As the situation develops, the implications of Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard in Memphis will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the city's recent crime trends.