In brief
President Trump has stated that Memphis will be the next US city to receive National Guard troops in response to rising crime rates, following a previous deployment in Washington DC. Despite Trump's announcement during a Fox News interview, Memphis officials, including Mayor Paul Young, expressed reservations about the necessity and efficacy of such a deployment, advocating instead for financial resources to bolster local law enforcement. The situation raises questions about the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement.
Memphis in Tennessee will be the next US city where Donald Trump sends National Guard troops as part of his ongoing crackdown in Democrat-led cities.
The US president made the announcement during a wide-ranging interview on Fox News on Friday, claiming the city's mayor, a Democrat, was happy about the decision, as was the state's governor, who is a Republican.
The deployment to Memphis would mark an escalation in Trump's use of troops and comes roughly a month after he sent the National Guard to the streets of Washington DC.
Memphis has one of the highest rates of crime in the US, with 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people, according to FBI data.
We're going to Memphis, Trump stated, without detailing when troops would arrive. Memphis is deeply troubled. He also mentioned intentions to target crime reduction in cities like New Orleans, Baltimore, and Chicago.
Despite the announcement, Memphis Mayor Paul Young clarified in a news conference that he did not request the National Guard, indicating that he believes the deployment is not the correct approach to reduce crime. Young expressed a desire to ensure that any troop deployment is done strategically to benefit and strengthen the community.
Earlier in the week, Young had indicated discussions with the Trump administration regarding federal support for local police department resources. What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen investigations, he stated.
This statement contrasts with the mobilization of National Guard troops; while Trump has taken direct control over the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington to combat crime, a court ruled this approach unlawful in Los Angeles earlier this year. Legal experts remain divided on the implications of using military forces against civilians.
