By Connor Greene
Copyright time
Trump also pointed to other cities where he might soon direct similar efforts. “We’re going to be doing Chicago, probably next,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Monday, adding “we’re going to go big.” He later stated that “we’ll get to St. Louis.”
The announcement came as key members of Trump’s cabinet flanked his desk, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“This team will deploy the full power of federal law enforcement,” Trump said.
Lee, who was also present during Trump’s announcement, said he is “tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back.” Tennessee Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty were also present.
The support of the state’s Republican governor and senators marks a notable difference from Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles this summer against the wishes of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom and local officials. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said after Trump indicated his plans to send the National Guard to the city last week that he was “certainly not happy” about the deployment and that his administration would “do all that we can to make sure that it has limited impact on our community.”
