Memphis has been bracing for an influx of National Guard troops for two weeks following President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to deploy them to the city. This Friday, residents had an opportunity to understand the specifics of that plan, which, it appears, significantly differs from previous deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated on Friday that these troops will form a part of a surge of resources devoted to combat crime in the city. This will include 13 federal agencies and state troopers. The National Guard troops, all from Tennessee, will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to aid local law enforcement.
The Governor, a Republican, clarified that the troops will not carry out arrests and will not be armed unless local law enforcement officials request it. Previously, Lee had mentioned a figure of no more than 150 Guard members for deployment in Memphis. However, he later stated that the actual number is still in the planning stages.
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The plan is named the “Memphis Safe Task Force” and is scheduled to begin operations next week. The Governor could not provide an exact timeline for when each agency would start to contribute resources to the city, indicating that it will occur in phases. The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Agency will reportedly be the first to arrive next week. Importantly, Lee stated that he would not declare a state of emergency.
President Trump first deployed troops to Los Angeles in early June, ignoring Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections by placing the California National Guard under federal jurisdiction to protect federal property during protests over immigration raids. The subsequent intervention resulted in a lawsuit from California.
In Memphis, Mayor Paul Young has adopted a more pragmatic approach, stating that while he did not request National Guard troops, he recognized their inevitable arrival. His primary concern, he stated, is to ensure that the incoming resources are used effectively for the benefit of Memphis residents.
Reports indicate that the president’s decision to next send the National Guard to Memphis was announced on Fox News on Sept. 12. An order establishing the law enforcement agencies task force for the mission was signed on Sept. 15. The president’s position on deploying troops to Chicago has varied, fluctuating between unilateral deployment and considering deployments to New Orleans, Portland, or another city where the governor “wants us to come in.”
