Hundreds of Federal Agents, Troopers Expected to Deploy in Memphis Crime Crackdown

President Donald Trump and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee are leading a multi-agency operation called the "Memphis Safe Task Force" to combat the city's high violent crime rate by deploying federal agents, state troopers, and National Guard troops. Starting next week, personnel from 13 federal agencies—including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals—will work alongside the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, with over 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers also joining. National Guard members will support local law enforcement but will not make arrests or carry arms unless requested. The operation will unfold in phases over several weeks and months, backed by $100 million in additional public safety grants from Tennessee. Memphis Mayor Paul Young emphasized the need to ensure the resources benefit residents as crime has recently begun trending downward following a spike in 2023. Governor Lee expressed optimism that this effort will transform Memphis’s crime story and credited President Trump for committing crucial federal resources to the initiative.