Trump Plans National Guard Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Surge

President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, to address rising crime, describing the city as "deeply troubled" and likening the intervention to previous federal actions in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Trump stated that both Memphis' Democratic mayor and Tennessee's Republican governor support the deployment, contrasting with his original preference to send troops to Chicago, which he called "hostile" due to resistance from local leaders and "professional agitators." This move is part of Trump's broader strategy of sending federal troops to major U.S. cities with high crime rates, especially those led by Democrats, despite controversy and opposition in places like Chicago and California. The deployment to Los Angeles earlier this year, which bypassed Democratic state leadership via Title 10 authority, drew significant legal challenges, while the unique status of the D.C. National Guard has allowed Trump to use troops there with fewer restrictions. Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security launched "Operation Midway Blitz," targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, a move criticized by some lawmakers as fearmongering. Trump's efforts reflect his administration's focus on law enforcement and immigration enforcement as part of his broader crime-fighting agenda.