Memphis Mom Credits Trump's Task Force for Peace Amid DA's Legal Battle

A Memphis mother credited President Donald Trump’s federal crime initiative with bringing a noticeable peace to her streets, allowing her children to play outside without fear. Dalisia Ballinger described a quiet neighborhood where birds chirped and children played in the street, a stark contrast to years of violence that local leaders had not resolved.

Ballinger has become a vocal supporter of the Memphis Safe Task Force, an operation established by Trump through a presidential memorandum on September 15, 2025. The initiative directed federal, state, and local authorities, alongside the U.S. Marshals Service and the Tennessee National Guard, to collaborate on combating street and violent crime in Memphis. The White House reported that as of the operation’s one-year anniversary, it had led to 12,747 arrests, including 131 homicide arrests, 1,276 firearms arrests, and 1,408 arrests of known gang members. Additionally, 2,160 illegal guns were seized, and 189 missing children were recovered.

According to White House figures, overall crime in Memphis fell by nearly 36% compared to the previous year, with murders down 36%, robberies down 42%, and vehicle thefts down 57%. However, city data indicated that crime was already declining before the task force's deployment, making it difficult to definitively attribute the entire decrease to the federal surge.

Ballinger shared personal experiences, including a shooting near her home that displaced a grandmother and her grandchildren, to illustrate the level of violence her community faced. She expressed frustration with the lack of local response over the years, stating, "My children deserve peace, and with the Memphis Safe Task Force being here, we’ve finally been able to get that peace."

The task force's effectiveness has become a focal point in a dispute involving Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, a Democrat. Mulroy is challenging two state oversight laws through a lawsuit filed in May. One law, the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act, requires Mulroy’s office to report on cases resolved by the task force that are dismissed or settled without prosecution. The second law permits the Tennessee attorney general to audit his office’s decisions on task force cases and potentially appoint a special prosecutor.

Mulroy contends that these laws unfairly target Shelby County, infringe upon the discretion of a locally elected prosecutor, and impose duplicative reporting burdens. He has framed the legal battle as a conflict between local voter control and state government intrusion. A Change.org petition, nearing 10,000 signatures, calls on Mulroy to withdraw his lawsuit and argues that his legal fight obstructs the task force's efforts.

Supporters of the task force, including Ballinger, view the lawsuit as an attempt to undermine the operation's successes. "While federal, state, and local agents risk their lives taking criminals off our streets, DA Mulroy is fighting in court to hide how his office is undermining this task force," Ballinger stated.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and state Senator Brent Taylor have previously questioned Mulroy’s office regarding case resolutions. In December 2025, his office reported that 430 of 514 felony cases resolved ended without prison time, with 166 of those categorized as violent. Mulroy has accused critics of distorting crime data for political purposes.

Despite the ongoing legal and political debate, Ballinger emphasized that her focus remains on community safety and the tangible peace she has experienced. She acknowledged that legitimate complaints about policing should be reviewed but believes they should not compromise the task force's mission. She stated a willingness to revisit and restructure procedures if necessary to ensure residents feel safe.

Conversely, the Memphis Safe Task Force has faced criticism. The ACLU of Tennessee and some Memphis residents have alleged aggressive policing tactics and retaliation against individuals recording law enforcement activity. Four residents filed a federal lawsuit earlier this year alleging harassment and unlawful arrests. These allegations remain unproven in court.