President Donald Trump announced plans to address rising crime in Memphis, Tennessee, following his administration’s recent success in restoring order in Washington, DC.
During a live interview on Fox & Friends Friday morning, Trump revealed his next move. “We’re going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled, and the mayor is happy. He’s a Democrat mayor. The mayor is happy, and the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy,” he said. “We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington. I would have preferred going to Chicago,” he added, citing resistance from Illinois leadership.
Trump’s declaration comes just days after federal oversight in DC led to dramatic drops in violent crime. According to CNN, in the three weeks following Trump’s activation of federal authority under Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act, murders in the capital decreased by 60 percent, vehicle thefts fell 35 percent, and car break-ins dropped 40 percent. The president’s emergency powers also included deploying the National Guard and putting the D.C. Metropolitan Police under direct federal control.
Though his emergency order officially expired Wednesday, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser extended collaboration between local and federal agencies, signaling a lasting shift in policing strategy. In a press release, Bowser emphasized the continuation of efforts under the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center (SBEOC), which stemmed from Trump’s directive.
Trump’s pivot to Memphis comes as city leaders express growing concern over violent crime and public safety. Unlike in Chicago, where Trump faced political pushback from Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, his move to Memphis has reportedly received a more welcoming response from both city and state officials.
With crime still a major concern in urban centers across America, Trump’s Memphis strategy could be another test case for his tough-on-crime approach ahead of the 2026 election season.
