Trump Creates Memphis Task Force to Battle Violent Crime in Tenn. City

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Monday authorizing federal law enforcement agencies to Memphis authorities to combat violent crime in the Tennessee city.

The presidential memo establishes the "Memphis Safe Task Force," coordinating federal, state and local law enforcement resources, WHBQ-TV reports. The initiative includes the potential deployment of the Tennessee National Guard, pending approval from Gov. Bill Lee.

The directive calls for all law enforcement agencies in Shelby County, as well as state police from Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, to support the task force. The memo also instructs Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to formally request National Guard support from the governor.

“This team will deploy the full powers of federal law enforcement agencies and enforcement generally to restore public safety and get dangerous career criminals off our streets,” Trump said during the Oval Office announcement of the task force.

According to the memo, the task force will involve the following federal agencies:

• FBI
• ATF
• DEA
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Department of Homeland Security Investigations

The initiative is a response to ongoing violent crime in Memphis. That includes a violent August carjacking in which a 64-year-old woman was slammed to the ground. 

"A person is four times more likely to be murdered in Memphis, Tennessee, than in Mexico City, and you know Mexico City is no cakewalk," said Trump. "It's been overrun with carjackings, robberies, shootings and killings."

The initiative has the backing of the governor, who hopes the task force will help move "that city forward."

"I’ve been in office seven years. I am tired of crime holding the great City of Memphis back," said Lee.

It's unclear when the task force or the National Guard will be deployed.

This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.