Trump says he will deploy U.S. National Guard troops to Memphis

by · UPI

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to deploy U.S. National Guard troops to Memphis.

"We're going to Memphis. Memphis is deeply troubled," Trump said during a TV appearance on Fox and Friends.

Trump has previously sent the National Guard and other federal resources to major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. in an attempt to crackdown on crime and illegal immigration. Officials from both cities have challenged the moves in court.

"We're gonna fix that [Memphis] just like we did Washington," Trump said on Friday, adding he will send the "National Guard and anybody else we need. And by the way, we'll bring in the military too, if we need it."

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Trump said the city's mayor, a Democrat, supports the move.

"And the mayor is happy. He's a Democrat mayor. The mayor is happy. And the governor, Tennessee, the governor is happy," Trump said Friday.

Mayor Paul Young struck a more neutral tone.

"Earlier this week, I was informed that the governor and the president were considering deploying the National Guard and other resources to Memphis. I am committed to working to ensure any efforts strengthen our community and build on our progress," Young said in a written statement to WMCA.

"We agree with Governor Lee that effective support for Memphis comes through focused initiatives that deliver results like we have seen with the FBI, state troopers, and other law enforcement partnerships."

Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, had yet to comment publicly on the initiative as of Friday morning.

Last month, the Trump administration deployed some 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states to help with logistical support in processing "illegal migrants." Those federal personnel are not working in a law enforcement capacity.

The National Guard troops going to Memphis are being sent with the goal of combatting that city's crime rate. Memphis had a homicide rate of 40.6 per 100,000 people last year according to FBI data analyzed by USA Today.

The city's police department has also attracted negative news. Last year, three Memphis police officers were found guilty for their roles in the beating death of a man during a traffic stop. A judge has ordered a new trial in that case.

That same year, a former police officer was indicted on kidnapping and murder charges.