Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks beside President Donald Trump, alongside Cabinet members and Tennessee officials, inside the Oval Office on Sept. 15, 2025 in Washington. (Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A review by local outlet WSMV found that Memphis had the highest violent crime rate in the country in 2024. A city dashboard reflected a recent improvement, showing that since Sept. 1, serious crime in Memphis has dropped 46%.
The statistics provided to Fox News Digital also detailed several arrests. They showed an alleged All On The Blade gang member was arrested for first degree murder, an alleged Bullet to Bullet gang member was arrested for attempted second degree murder, an alleged Sureno 13 gang member was arrested while allegedly inside a stolen car containing methamphetamine and two Chinese noncitizens, including one allegedly in the country illegally, were arrested with more than $1 million in cash on them.
Members of the National Guard patrol on Oct. 11, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. National Guard members began patrolling Memphis this week as part of a federal task force established by Trump to combat what the administration says is violent crime in the city. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
The task force represents a broader trend of the Trump administration executing crime and immigration enforcement operations in blue cities that the president has described as crime-infested "war zones," a characterization that state and local leaders have widely rejected. Chicago, Portland and parts of California have all been targets.
In stark contrast to the mass protests and federal lawsuits that cropped up in those jurisdictions, Memphis has been more welcoming of the federal and military reinforcements. Tennessee is a solid red state, and Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, approved of deploying National Guard troops to aid in the crackdown. The governor was sued by some local leaders over the decision.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young has been less warm than Lee to the task force initiative but has remained cooperative. His office did not respond to a request for comment.
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In a viral clip, a Memphis resident was seen thanking Trump this month while saying she has no interest in politics.
"I will say thank you to Trump for bringing these National Guards and doing what they're doing down here in Memphis," the woman said. "For the first time in five years — I've been in my home for five years — and for the first time my kids have been able to play in the backyard and be able to do it comfortably. I haven't heard a gunshot in two weeks."
Ashley Oliver is a reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business, covering the Justice Department and legal affairs. Email story tips to ashley.oliver@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-administration-notches-1700-arrests-after-one-month-memphis