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President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he would be deploying the National Guard to Memphis, Tenn., next as he continues his anti-crime initiative.
The president made the announcement during an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” adding that the deployment would not be limited to the National Guard, and could include the Army if needed.
“Memphis is deeply troubled,” Trump said. “We’re gonna fix that just like we did Washington.”
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Trump admitted that he would have “preferred going to Chicago.” Clashes involving the Trump administration, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are likely why the National Guard is not going to the Windy City next.
Trump told “Fox & Friends” that both Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, and Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, were both on board with the plan to have the National Guard sent to Bluff City.
“We agree with Governor Lee that effective support for Memphis comes through focused initiatives that deliver results like we have seen with the FBI, state troopers, and other law enforcement partnerships. What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen MPD’s investigations,” Young told Fox 13, a Memphis-based affiliate of Fox News.
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Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., who represents Memphis, expressed his support for the administration’s decision.
“I support President Trump’s decision to send the National Guard to Memphis. I thank the president for his commitment to curb violent crime. It is important for the long-term success in Memphis to have additional and permanent federal law enforcement officers and agents who can work in conjunction with state and local officials. I will continue to work with the White House to secure these important resources,” Kustoff told Fox News Digital.
Trump’s announcement of a National Guard deployment comes just after Lee moved to send 50 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers to assist the Memphis Police Department.
“While the FBI and THP operations continue, we are actively discussing the next phase of our strategy to accelerate the positive momentum that’s already underway, and nothing is off the table,” the governor said, according to Fox 13. “Every Memphian deserves to live in a safe neighborhood.”
Trump began a major anti-crime push in Washington, D.C., over the summer and deployed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital. While Republicans argue that the troops have made D.C. safer, Democrats have blasted the federal takeover of the city.
The president’s decision to deploy National Guard troops in D.C. was part of his effort to federalize the local police force through the Home Rule Act last month, and it’s part of a surge of federal law enforcement officers who have been patrolling the streets ever since.
Despite other members of her party objecting to the National Guard’s presence, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has acknowledged that the move reduced crime in the district. She even went as far as to sign an executive order encouraging further cooperation with federal officials on crime. It remains to be seen whether the deployment to Memphis will have the same results.
Fox News Digital reached out to Young and Lee’s offices for more information.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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