I’ve been writing about Memphis ever since I got this schweet, schweet gig. Almost all of them have been sad posts about a city we knew well and adored tromping through when we were stationed at NAS Millington for school in ’80-’81.
In 2022, the ghastly murder of a kindergarten teacher by a career criminal made a splash in national news just as they elected a new Soros prosecutor, and then, the following year, a cool, calm, and collected resident directed a news report on how to duck as bullets flew during an interview.
It was ‘instinctive,’ the lady said at the time. And, well, practice.
With just a shade over a million residents, lil’ ol’ Memphis has continued down its path of unimaginable violence ever since. This has earned the medium-sized city, as of the end of August this year, the dubious distinction of being the violent crime capital of the country. I mean, it beat out Oakland for that, yo.
Two major Tennessee cities ranked among the 15 large U.S. cities with the highest violent crime rates in 2024.
A WSMV analysis of FBI data released last month found that Memphis had the highest rate of violent crime, coming in at 2,501 instances of violent crime for every 100,000 people. Nashville has the 13th-highest rate at 1,124 for every 100,000 people.
…Memphis had the worst rate in the country and Nashville’s was the 13th-worst. Both far exceeded the national average for large cities in the US, which was 706
The Memphis Police Department has been working heroically to reduce crime and has managed some successes, so it’s not to say there hasn’t been progress.
The Memphis Police Department reports historic crime reductions, with decreases across all major categories in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in previous years.
Overall crime is at a 25-year low, with robbery, burglary, and larceny also reaching 25-year lows. Murder is at a six-year low, aggravated assault at a five-year low, and sexual assault at a twenty-year low.
These declines reflect focused strategies and collaboration. In recent years, MPD has launched initiatives focused on fugitives, violent repeat offenders, auto theft, and traffic enforcement, while strengthening partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.
But the ‘lows’ they’re hitting, while providing some relief for Memphis residents, are still extraordinarily high in terms of crime in the streets and a lower quality of living for everyone.
It’s only natural that President Trump’s clean-up-your-act eye would eventually fall on Elvis’s city, and he announced the National Guard would be going to Graceland.
It’s disturbing that the President is hellbent on sending troops onto America’s streets.
Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting.
None of this is normal. https://t.co/bMO6Pg0fS1
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 12, 2025
That was a mellow reaction to Trump’s announcement. MSNBC broke out the ‘white nationalist takeover’ chorus.
🚨BREAKING: A TN Democrat is fomenting violence over Trump sending the National Guard into Memphis, accusing the President of being a White Supremacist.
Keep in mind Trump is even working in tandem with the Governor and Mayor.
TN State Rep. Pearson: “Black communities should… pic.twitter.com/whn0yzQDih
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) September 12, 2025
…TN State Rep. Pearson: “Black communities should not be the place and the pawns for an authoritarian wannabe dictator, White Supremacist gain.”
“These are not benign acts. They are all intentional in an effort to let us be lulled to sleep as our country moves from a democracy into an authoritarian dictatorship.”
“We are going to see this repeating over and over again the terrorism of our communities. And we have to stand united and we have to fight back against it.”…
FTR – State Rep Justin Pearson is a complete race-grifting tool. He was one of the three state legislators in 2023 who egged on a pro-trans and gun control mob that had stormed into the TN statehouse. So, of course, MSNBC would go to him for a juicy, anti-Trump soundbite.
In the meantime, the fellow most immediately concerned with the National Guard deployment as he’s the mayor of Memphis, a fellow named Paul Young, stepped up to the microphone shortly afterwards and, surrounded as he was by a diverse group of community leaders and officials, Young surprised everyone with his pragmatic statement.
What it boiled down to was I didn’t ask for this, I don’t think we need it, but if they’re going to be here, we’ll be glad to take advantage of it and hope good comes of it.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young says he did not ask for the National Guard to be brought to Memphis, but is hoping to work on a strategy to make it successful.
Young’s remarks came hours after President Donald Trump’s announcement that the National Guard will be sent to Memphis to combat crime.
…“Despite the reduction we’ve seen, crime is still too high,” Young said.
Young says his ultimate goal is to work with the community, the governor and the federal government to make sure the National Guard presence works strategically to benefit the city.
WOWSAHS
What a mature reaction. He did say that Trump’s comment that the mayor was ‘happy about it’ was an ‘overstatement,’ but even that was couched in polite terms.
Chicago’s Bear of Little Brains should take notes.
Memphis residents have since been subjected to an incoming swarm of reporters quizzing them about their feelings concerning the arrival of all of the white nationalists fixin’ to take over their city.
The general consensus seems to be, ‘Hell, YEAH – bring ’em!‘
This is the owner of a tax business.
Memphis tax service business owner says she’s excited about the National Guard being deployed to her city:
“We’re grateful for the National Guard coming.” pic.twitter.com/e1bwCmzG3U
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 15, 2025
This lady told the reporter you can’t go to a grocery store or market without worrying about your car being broken into.
Memphis resident: “It’s just so dangerous that you can’t get out of your car. You can’t go to the grocery store… So, yeah, I want to see the crime stop — and if the National Guard is going to stop the crime, bring them on!” pic.twitter.com/DVP2HEPjeh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 15, 2025
Erick Erickson’s niece is a nurse and says her hospital’s parking garage has turned into a supply depot for tire thieves.
This is from my niece, who lives in Memphis. She’s glad the President is going to send in the National Guard. She’s a nurse. cc: @JDVance @marcorubio pic.twitter.com/l7TiHkwm2d
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 12, 2025
This fellow said ‘the youngins’ are gettin’ outrageous and ridiculous’ and that Trump needs to hurry up.
Memphis resident: “We need [the National Guard] bad. They need to hurry up and come.” pic.twitter.com/N0IIygMhab
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 12, 2025
These two fellows were too busy to interview, having to shoot and run as they did, just *checks notes* Saturday afternoon. Maybe they can catch up with them later.
This is why President Trump is sending in the National Guard to Memphis. This gunfight happened in broad daylight Saturday near a very well-to-do area called Harbor Town. Memphis City Hall is in bed with the gangbangers. pic.twitter.com/g4NzAf7GTJ
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) September 14, 2025
For its part, MSNBC isn’t letting go of the white nationalist trope. Even after Mayor Young was so sanguine about the Guard, they brought on yet another Expert™ to make sure everyone knew the mayor who was chill with it was against it.
Why would MSNBC lie about this? https://t.co/FOc6dY2IZv https://t.co/usoVE9HWQ9
— tree hugging s*ster 🎃 (@WelbornBeege) September 15, 2025
Online news orifices like Newsweek are trying the exact same subterfuge. Check out their headline, which does not accurately reflect the spirit of what the mayor says.
Memphis Mayor Defies Trump Over National Guard Deployment
‘Defies’ is a strong word for ‘we’ll work with what we’re handed and make the best of the opportunity.’
…When asked whether or not he supported Trump’s proposed National Guard deployment, Young said this was an “overstatement.”
“I do not think it’s the way to drive down crime. However, that decision has been made,” the mayor said. “As the mayor of the city of Memphis, my career is to make sure that we work strategically to ensure that this happens in a way that truly benefits and strengthens our community.”
…Memphis Mayor Paul Young said Friday, per The Commercial Appeal: “I do not support the National Guard. However, they are [the governor’s to deploy]—it’s not the mayor’s call. The mayor doesn’t have…an authority to stop them. My goal is to make sure that as they come that I have an opportunity to work with them, to strategize on how they engage in this community.”
He sure seems like he has his head on straight. That’s good for both him and Memphis.
MSNBC and the media look like they’re going to have to go somewhere else to foment discord.
Elwood’s Shack, one of the great barbecue joints in Memphis, will offer a free barbecue sandwich to any uniformed National Guard members on deployment in Memphis. God bless you to the good folks at Elwood’s Shack! And as a lifelong Memphian — welcome to our great city! pic.twitter.com/RSeEKcaZtO
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) September 13, 2025
Memphis doesn’t seem to want to play that game.
I think a lot of people are learning that lesson.
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Read the full article here
