President Donald Trump visited Memphis Monday, claiming victory for his Memphis Safe Task Force, which includes the Tennessee National Guard.
At a roundtable with federal and state officials, Trump said the task force achieved a decline in crime.
“Memphis has to like me,” said Trump, sitting at a table with Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We said we are going to make Memphis great again, and we really did. In another two or three months, you’re going to be a virtually crime-free city. Maybe someday I will move to Tennessee. I love it.”
Panelists didn’t indicate when the task force would end. Trump previously hinted that the CEO of Union Pacific, a FedEx board member, spurred the idea of having the strategy in Memphis.
Stephen Miller at Trump's panel in Memphis, March 23, 2026
“Great businesses and remarkable people had a serious problem,” Lee said. “Today’s an important day. As a young kid, I spent time with my cousins roaming this city. But sadly, for decades, that wasn’t happening for children in this city anymore. What’s happened in the last six months has changed that story entirely. This will create generational change. The people of Memphis are grateful. This governor is grateful. There’s a lot of work yet to be done.”
The Memphis Safe Task Force started six months ago as part of Trump’s plan to reduce crime in America. The White House claims that, since its inception, the task force has made 7,400 arrests and seized more than 1,200 firearms.
Trump announced that all National Guard members will receive the same benefits as active-duty troops. Trump’s panel said the task force started with 20 partner agencies in the Memphis area but has now expanded to 33.
Stephen Miller — the proclaimed architect of the plan — also spoke on the panel. Tennessee lawmakers said in January that pieces of their legislation were inspired by Miller’s ideas. Miller said Monday that Trump’s policies could be summed up with just a few words.
“It is a national miracle that will be studied for generations to come,” Miller said.
The Making America Safe Again panel on the Memphis Safe Task Force, March 23, 2026
Candidates Show Face
As a candidate for governor, Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose said he couldn’t rule out leaving other cities out of the task force equation. His gubernatorial primary rival, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, was also in attendance and was praised by Trump for her actions while in office.
“I think this is a bit of the president taking stock of what’s been accomplished,” Rose told Scene sister publication the Nashville Post. "There’s a longer-term element for this. As a candidate for governor, I am paying attention to how this is working. We want to reverse the impact of 30-plus years of single-party rule in Shelby County. I think there are other problems in Nashville — in particular, a heightened crime rate. It’s something you have to take a look at. It’s obviously worked here.”
State representative’s 9th Congressional District challenge to fellow Democrat Steve Cohen represents a generational shift
Meanwhile, Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) held a rally protesting Trump's appearance in Memphis. Pearson said his rally was "energetic and joy-filled," telling the Post he took off work from the legislature to host the rally in his home district. Pearson is currently running for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District seat against his fellow Democrat, incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.
“I leave inspired to fight on against this administration that has led to traumatization," Pearson said. "The way I understand this is indefinite. This could be used in health care and education, not an authoritarian playbook to make some wealthier under this economy. Crime was going down anyway, and the day after the task force leaves, none of the root causes have been addressed. What we need are resources."
