Former President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration’s next target in its nationwide crime crackdown will be Memphis, a city he described as “deeply troubled.”
“I’ll be the first to say it right now, again, we’re going to Memphis,” Trump told Fox & Friends. “The mayor is happy, the governor is happy, and we’re going to fix that just like we did Washington.”
Trump added that the plan could involve the National Guard and even the military if needed. “Memphis is a great music city, but we’re going to straighten it out,” he said.
CNN has reached out to Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for comment.
This marks Trump’s latest move after previously threatening to send troops to Chicago, where he claimed the city would soon “find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” While federal officials have launched an immigration crackdown in Chicago, Trump’s troop deployment never happened.
Memphis could prove different. The city leans Democratic, but Tennessee’s Republican leadership may be more receptive to Trump’s push. The city recorded the highest violent crime rate last year among U.S. cities with more than 250,000 residents, according to FBI data reviewed by CNN.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, praised Trump’s decision. “Today, President Trump answered my call to do whatever it takes to Make Memphis Safe Again,” she said, pointing to what she called his “tremendous success” in Washington, D.C.
Last month, Trump’s administration federalized the D.C. police force, brought in federal officers, and deployed troops. Officials said crime in the city has since dropped, with hundreds of undocumented immigrants detained. But tourism also fell, and local restaurants reported fewer customers.
Trump’s emergency order in D.C. expired this week, though National Guard members and federal officers are still patrolling parts of the city. Tennessee was among the states that sent Guard troops to D.C., but it’s not clear if they will now be reassigned to Memphis.
Local officials in Washington said the government’s focus was on deporting undocumented immigrants and clearing homeless encampments.
Trump hinted earlier this week that Memphis would be next, telling reporters, “We’ll be announcing another city very shortly. The governor of a certain state would love us to be there, and the mayor of a certain city in that same state would love us to be there.”
CEO’s warning played role
Trump said the idea of targeting Memphis came in part from Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who raised concerns during a meeting about his company’s merger with Norfolk Southern.
According to Trump, Vena suggested that the National Guard be sent to Chicago, St. Louis, and Memphis. He told Trump about his time on FedEx’s board, when he said he had to be driven in a bullet-proof limo because it wasn’t safe to walk even a block in Memphis.
Vena also warned about rising crime in St. Louis and begged Trump not to “lose Chicago,” calling it a “great city” that could be saved.
Trump did not say whether he supports Union Pacific’s merger deal, which has faced pushback from rail customers over concerns about higher prices and weaker service.
Union Pacific did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
