An Urgent Message on the Memphis National Guard Deployment

AMAC
Sep 19
2 min read

Memphis is under threat of federal overreach. On September 15, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum deploying Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis. This move is a "crime crackdown" and not a solution we need.

What This Means for Memphis

The memorandum, titled "Restoring Law and Order in Memphis," establishes the "Memphis Safe Task Force," which includes the FBI, DEA, ATF, ICE, and U.S. Marshals, alongside National Guard troops. This deployment is framed as a plan aiming to "restore public safety" in our majority-Black city, which has faced violent crime challenges.

Mayor Paul Young, who did not request this deployment, has stated, "I did not ask for the National Guard, and I don't think it's the way to drive down crime."

However, it's politically motivated, testing presidential power by inserting military forces into non-emergency local policing. It normalizes military presence on our streets, potentially eroding trust in local law enforcement and undermining civil rights. What Memphis needs is investment in solutions that uplift communities; not the militarization of our neighborhoods.

What Does the National Guard Do?

The National Guard is a reserve military force that can be called upon for state emergencies like natural disasters or for federal missions. Under federal control, they are governed by Title 10, which can place them under federal command. However, the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement, with some exceptions.

In this case, the deployment likely involves Title 32, which keeps the Guard under state control while using federal funding. This dual status can blur the lines, but the core issue is that this is not a solution that addresses the root causes of crime like mental health, housing, and education.

Governor Bill Lee supports the deployment, stating he's "tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back" and has been coordinating with the Trump administration for months to leverage federal and state resources for a "sustained reduction in crime."

What Can We Do?

The Memphis City Council is leading the resistance with a powerful resolution. The resolution, sponsored by Council members Jerry Green, JB Smiley Jr., Jeff Warren, and Pearl Walker, urges Governor Bill Lee to reject the deployment and take all necessary steps to prevent the militarization of our streets. This where we need you. The Council will vote on the resolution at their meeting on