Washington, September 16 (HS): President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping federal crackdown on crime in Memphis, Tennessee, ordering the deployment of National Guard troops and multiple federal agencies despite objections from the city’s Democratic leadership.

Unveiling the plan on Monday alongside Republican Governor Bill Lee, Trump said the city was “overrun” with carjackings, shootings, and robberies, vowing to replicate what he declared a successful campaign in Washington, DC. “We’re not going to allow this kind of savagery to destroy our society anymore,” he told reporters at the Oval Office memorandum-signing.

The new Memphis task force will combine resources from the National Guard, FBI, ICE, ATF, and the Department of Justice in what Trump called a “replica” of his operations in the capital. Governor Lee welcomed the move, calling it essential to “sustained crime lowering,” while Memphis Mayor Paul Young warned of potential damage to communities and criticized the lack of consultation.

According to FBI data, Memphis recorded one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation in 2024, with 2,501 incidents per 100,000 residents and the highest homicide rate of any major US city at 41 per 100,000 people.

The crackdown comes after Trump shelved a similar plan for Chicago amid resistance from local officials, though he signaled Chicago and St. Louis remain under consideration for future operations. Legal challenges could follow, as a recent federal court ruling in California branded his earlier troop deployments in Los Angeles unlawful.

The decision marks Trump’s second major intervention in a Democratic-led city after his takeover of policing operations in Washington, DC, which his administration says has led to thousands of arrests and weapons seizures—but which remains deeply unpopular with many residents and poses constitutional questions over federal authority.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar