Trump Authorizes National Guard Deployment to Memphis Amid Rising Crime Rates, Legal Challenges
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, effective this week, citing the city’s high rates of violent and property crime. The decision, formalized via a presidential memorandum signed at the White House on September 15, 2025, with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Defense Minister Pete Hegseth present, follows similar deployments to Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
according to CNN, Trump announced the move on Monday, stating, “This is a very crucial decision because crime is a problem not onyl in Memphis but also in manny other cities.”
The White House stated the deployment is necessary due to memphis recording the highest proportion of violent and property crimes in the United States in 2024, and ranking third nationally in murders.
This action occurs as the trump governance faces legal challenges regarding the use of the National Guard in other cities. A court recently ruled the deployment of U.S. Army units to Los angeles unlawful. Washington D.C. also filed a lawsuit against trump’s administration in August over the National Guard’s presence in the city.
The memorandum establishes a “memphis Security Working Group” within the White House, led by a member of the National Guard and in coordination with Governor Lee. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, expressed dissatisfaction with the deployment but indicated a willingness to collaborate on crime suppression efforts. He noted being informed of the final decision through Fox News, despite prior discussions with the governor regarding a potential National Guard outline.
Trump had previously considered deploying the National Guard to Chicago, but CNN reports those plans are currently suspended following advisor warnings about potential “legal headaches” without the consent of the state governor.
