President Donald Trump announced Monday the deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents to Memphis to combat rising crime, citing the city's statistics as justification, while hinting at similar actions in Chicago and other urban centers amid ongoing debates over federal intervention in local policing.

The initiative, dubbed the Memphis Safe Task Force, mirrors recent efforts in Washington, D.C., where Guard units were sent last month to support law enforcement. Trump, flanked by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty in the Oval Office, described the move as a "big force" response involving the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Marshals. "We're sending in the big force now," Trump said, claiming Memphis' crime rate exceeds the national average and has worsened since last year.

Local data paints a mixed picture: Memphis police reported overall crime at a 25-year low and murders at a six-year low in the first eight months of 2025 compared to prior years, contradicting White House assertions of an uptick. The city has grappled with gun violence, recording over 390 homicides in 2023 – a record high – though recent trends show declines across major categories.

Governor Lee, a Republican, thanked Trump for responding to his request, calling it a step toward safety. Trump praised Lee, predicting it would be his "proudest moment," and signaled Chicago as the next target, telling a business contact, "Sir, you've got to save Chicago. You can't let it go."

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago leaders have pushed back, arguing the intervention is unwarranted and overlooks local efforts. Chicago's crime has also trended downward, with murders down 20 percent year-to-date.

Trump suggested other cities like St. Louis, Baltimore, and New Orleans could follow, framing the deployments as part of a broader strategy to reclaim urban areas. The White House emphasized the D.C. model, where crime has reportedly plummeted, though critics question the sustainability and civil liberties implications.