() President Donald Trump on Monday announced the creation of the “Memphis Safe Task Force,” a multiagency federal law enforcement initiative aimed at addressing violent crime in Tennessee’s largest city.

The task force will deploy the “full powers of federal law enforcement” and includes the National Guard, FBI, DEA, ICE, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshals, Trump said during an Oval Office announcement flanked by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and GOP Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.

“This task force will be a replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts here,” Trump said, referring to similar operations in Washington, D.C. “I’m tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back.”

Memphis had highest violent crime rate nationally in 2024, per FBI data

According to the White House, Memphis recorded the highest violent crime rate, the highest property crime rate and the third-highest murder rate of any U.S. city in 2024. FBI data shows Memphis had 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people last year, with the crime rate 344% higher than the national average.

However, Memphis police reported that overall crime has decreased by 22% compared to last year and is at a 25-year low, with murder at a six-year low and sexual assault at a 20-year low.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agencies removed more than 2,000 violent offenders and 200 guns from Washington, D.C., streets in a similar operation.

FBI Director Kash Patel referenced “Operation Summer Heat,” an ongoing FBI effort in Memphis that has “set the landscape” for the expanded federal intervention.

Lee requested the federal assistance and praised the multiagency approach. “When we come together, we can make significant change in our city,” Lee said.

Tennessee elected officials divided on National Guard deployment

Democratic Memphis Mayor Paul Young said he does not support National Guard deployment but acknowledged “they are coming” and “it’s not the mayor’s call.”

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, a Democrat, opposed the plan, calling it an “occupation” inconsistent with American values. He noted that troops in Washington have remained longer than initially promised and are now carrying sidearms.

Memphis City Council member Jerri Green called the federal troop deployment a “slippery slope” that doesn’t address crime’s root causes.

Trump said Chicago would likely be the next city to receive similar federal intervention. The president said he plans to expand the program to other major cities experiencing high crime rates.

‘s Tom Dempsey and Jordan Perkins contributed to this report.