National Guard troops begin patrols in Memphis : NPR

National Guard members patrol outside a Bass Pro store Oct. 10 in Memphis, Tennessee.

George Walker IV/AP

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George Walker IV/AP

National Guard troops have begun patrolling Memphis, Memphis police confirmed to NPR.

Guard members are part of a federal task force created by President Trump to combat crime in Memphis. The task force includes agents from several federal agencies. Operations began last week.

The Trump administration has already describe Memphis “suffered enormous levels of violent crime that overwhelmed the ability of its local government to respond effectively.”

A small number of Guard members were already in Memphis for planning and logistical purposes, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said Tuesday during a City Council committee meeting.

As of Friday, it remains unclear how many troops will be deployed or in which locations in Tennessee’s second-largest city.

In Memphis, the Guard operates under the command of the governor, which is different from how other cities deal with troop deployment. In California, Oregon and Illinois, Guard members were activated by the Trump administration — moves that are now being challenged in court by state and local officials.

While some support the use of federal intervention to combat crime, critics accuse the administration of unfairly targeting Democratic-run cities. Legal experts also worry that Trump’s tendency to impose or threaten federal intervention in cities is testing the limits of presidential power and the use of military force.

What will the troops do in Memphis?

Trump described the federal anti-crime task force in Memphis as a “replica” of his initiative in Washington, D.C., where troops have been deployed since August, primarily tasked with patrols and beautification efforts.

A presidential memorandum About the task force, priorities will be reducing crime, enforcing immigration laws, helping local police with recruitment, retention and training, and coordinating “strong enforcement” of crimes ranging from battery to traffic violations. The memo also states that additional Guard personnel from other states may be mobilized if necessary.

The task force includes personnel from 13 U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

At a news conference last month, Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee said troops would play a supporting role and would not be responsible for arrests. He added that Guard forces will remain disarmed unless specifically requested by local law enforcement.

The governor also said the operation would take place in stages over the coming months.

A website launched by the city government says Guard members will serve as additional “eyes and ears” for local and federal agencies on the ground.

“Guards and women will be easily identifiable in their standard uniforms that they wear every day. Guards and women will not wear masks. Armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission,” the website adds.

What do local leaders think of the deployment?

Lee said he is not only happy about the federal aid, but has been in “constant communication” with the Trump administration for months about a plan to combat crime in Memphis using federal and state resources.

“I am tired of the crime that is holding back the great city of Memphis,” Lee said Sept. 15 during a visit to the White House. Republican state senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty also supported the move.

At the same time, local leaders have been more cautious. In his weekly newsletter On September 19, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, expressed skepticism about whether the Guard is the “right tool to reduce crime.” However, he said the city may need support to address homelessness and for “community beautification,” referring to efforts to reduce urban decay.

“We are already investing heavily in these works: grass cutting, litter collection and graffiti removal,” he said. “And now, with additional hands and resources, we can expand this work: cleaning up more vacant lots, removing more trash, and restoring more blocks.”

When it comes to public safety, Young emphasized that Memphis is moving in the right direction, citing that homicides and crime in general have declined in recent years. But Memphis has historically struggled with high crime levels, including in 2023, when the city recorded more than 340 homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department.

The city is already involved in several state and federal joint task forces, including the FBI, US Marshals, ICE and others.