MEMPHIS, Tenn. (RTW News) — A recent deployment of federal law enforcement agencies has led to the creation of the Memphis Safe Task Force, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in attendance at the initiative's launch. Under this effort, more than 50 arrests were made within just two days, targeting violent offenders linked to recent spikes in crime, including carjackings and homicides.
The task force involves the collaboration of federal agents from the immigration and drug enforcement units, as well as local Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, who have been conducting traffic stops on key routes. Bondi stated that 200 officers have been officially deputized for this operation.
This move forms part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to intensify the presence of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement in cities grappling with high levels of crime. In Memphis, officials have noted a decrease in some crime categories this year, although violent crime remains a persistent concern.
Opposition voices have raised concerns over the federal occupation of a largely Black city, advocating instead for social investments aimed at addressing underlying issues such as poverty, which they see as fundamental drivers of crime. Supporters of the task force hope federal involvement will help bolster local law enforcement efforts in maintaining public safety.
The operation has not yet outlined a schedule for National Guard deployment alongside local police forces, indicating that initial cooperative efforts may take weeks to fully mobilize.
