Sunday, September 14, 2025 -Memphis Mayor Paul Young revealed that he first learned of the National Guard being sent to his city from Donald Trump’s televised comments rather than through formal channels.
Young said he had been told the deployment was being considered but only received confirmation when the president announced it on national television. The move came as part of Trump’s strategy to use federal resources to tackle crime in urban centers.
Young stressed that he did not request the Guard and questioned whether such a deployment would improve public safety. While Governor Bill Lee’s office had been in discussions with the city, Young said there was no detailed plan presented to him before Trump’s announcement.
He warned that while extra personnel could assist law enforcement, the risks of militarizing city streets remain high, particularly given Memphis’s tense history with policing.
The decision highlights the growing divide between local and federal approaches to crime control. Trump’s announcement may reassure supporters who see tough measures as necessary, but it raises concerns about federal overreach and community trust.
With crime rates in Memphis showing recent declines, the deployment risks being seen as a political maneuver rather than a solution rooted in local needs.
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