Memphis Mayor Paul Young said Saturday he is “not happy” about President Donald Trump’s announcement that the National Guard could be deployed to the city, contradicting the president’s claim that local leaders supported the move.
Young told CNN’s “First of All” that Trump’s remarks on Fox News were his first official confirmation that a deployment was happening and that he has been given few details about when troops would arrive or how many would be involved. “With regards to the National Guard, it is something that we don’t have a choice in, and we’re going to do all that we can to make sure that it has limited impact on our community,” Young said.
Trump on Friday named Memphis as the next focus of what he described as a crime crackdown, saying the city was “deeply troubled” and that both Young, a Democrat, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, were “happy” about the possible deployment. The president made the announcement after Illinois officials opposed his effort to send troops to Chicago.
A White House spokesperson pointed to statements from Tennessee Republicans, including Gov. Lee and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who expressed support for the plan. A White House official did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by HuffPost. Under state law, governors typically oversee the National Guard, and Lee is expected to back the deployment.
Young suggested the troops could be used in limited, nonconfrontational roles if they come to Memphis, such as assisting with traffic management at large events, reviewing camera footage and helping with neighborhood beautification projects to address blight. He said city officials will try to minimize any disruptive effects on residents.
Democratic leaders and some local activists have criticized the idea of using the National Guard for public-safety operations, saying the force is trained for combat and crisis response rather than community policing. "Their deployment risks escalating tensions, endangering both civilians and service members, and eroding the very sense of security we seek to protect," Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson said, according to local reporting.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to send National Guard troops to cities led by Democrats, arguing that local officials have failed to control crime. Critics have accused the president of political motives, pointing out that he has not pursued similar deployments in some Republican-led cities with high crime rates. The proposed action in Memphis would be the first such effort in a Democrat-led city located in a Republican-controlled state.
Nationwide, the use of the National Guard for law enforcement duties has been contentious, prompting debate over roles, legal authority and training. Guard troops can be used for support tasks when activated by a governor, but their participation in routine law enforcement operations raises legal and operational questions about command, rules of engagement and community relations.
Memphis has among the highest violent-crime rates of U.S. cities with 100,000 or more residents, according to an Axios review of FBI data from 2024, though some crime categories, including homicide, showed declines in 2025. City leaders have emphasized a mix of policing, social services and community investment as strategies to reduce crime.
Young’s remarks come as local officials say they are still awaiting specifics about the potential deployment. He stressed that the city will continue to pursue existing crime-prevention initiatives and seek ways to invest in programs aimed at long-term public safety.
As the situation develops, Governor Lee’s role in authorizing any National Guard activation will be decisive. Federal officials have framed the plan as part of a broader effort to address violent crime in certain cities, but Memphis officials and some Democratic lawmakers maintain that the Guard is not a substitute for community-based public-safety measures.
