Trump Confirms National Guard Deployment to Memphis; Mayor Young Discloses Learning Via TV, Expresses Reservations

President Donald Trump officially confirmed the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis for an anti-crime mission, an announcement that Mayor Paul Young revealed he first learned of through Trump’s television comments on Friday. Speaking on Saturday, Mayor Young stated this broadcast was his initial ‘hard confirmation’ of the federal intervention.

While Governor Bill Lee’s office had previously informed Mayor Young that the idea was under consideration, details remained largely unconfirmed until the presidential broadcast. Mayor Young expressed that he did not request the deployment and holds skepticism about its effectiveness in reducing crime, though he committed to actively shaping the Guard’s engagement within the city, suggesting roles such as event support, traffic assistance, and monitoring for criminal activity.

Specifics regarding the number of troops, their arrival timeline, and precise roles are still being ironed out. Governor Lee and President Trump are expected to discuss these details further in the coming week. The deployment comes despite recent reports from Memphis police indicating drops in major crime categories for the first eight months of 2025, reaching a 25-year low for overall crime, though the city has historically grappled with significant gun violence.

The announcement also draws parallels with ongoing and proposed federal deployments elsewhere, including Washington D.C., where a National Guard presence continues, and Louisiana, where a draft plan for troop activation in urban centers has been disclosed following similar comments from President Trump.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.