Trump Announces National Guard Deployment to Two Blue Cities in Red States [WATCH]

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will be deploying National Guard personnel and federal agents to Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

The decision follows the administration’s recent takeover of policing resources in Washington, D.C., and the surge of federal agents into Chicago to assist with deportation and crime operations.

The president made the announcement during an in-studio interview with “Fox and Friends.”

“I think maybe I’ll be the first to say it right now again. We’re going to Memphis,” Trump said, calling the city “deeply troubled” and in need of federal assistance.

“And the mayor is happy. He’s a Democrat mayor. The mayor is happy. And the governor… Tennessee. The governor is happy. Deeply troubled. We’re gonna fix that just like we did Washington.”

According to FBI crime statistics, Memphis has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation, reporting 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

In 2023, Shelby County recorded a homicide rate of 40.9 per 100,000 residents, marking the largest net increase in homicide rate among major urban counties.

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Trump did not specify a timetable for the deployment but said the federal government intends to increase its involvement in multiple cities.

“But we’re going to straighten out the crime in these cities,” he said.

He also noted New Orleans, Baltimore, and Chicago as targets for future action, though for now the focus will remain on Memphis.

National Guard and Marine Corps units have already been operating in Los Angeles, where they were initially deployed during violent unrest targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Those personnel have since been assisting with deportation operations.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young acknowledged the discussions surrounding a National Guard deployment during a press conference on Friday.

However, he said he ultimately learned of the final decision through Trump’s interview.

“I want to be clear, I didn’t ask for the National Guard and I don’t think it’s the way to drive down crime, however that decision has been made,” Young said.

The mayor emphasized his belief that National Guard forces may not be the most effective solution to reduce crime but pledged to work with federal officials to ensure the deployment “truly benefits and strengthens our community.”

The new deployments come after the administration’s actions in Washington, D.C., where Trump directed federal agencies and National Guard personnel to take over the Metropolitan Police Department.

That federal control was originally set for 30 days but could be extended after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signaled her willingness to make some of the changes permanent, citing significant reductions in crime.

Since the federal takeover, carjackings in Washington have fallen by 87 percent.

The city reported 957 carjackings in 2023, the highest level in its history.

Although rates had been declining gradually since then, they remained far above pre-pandemic levels until the federal intervention.

“Carjacking in DC is down 87%. ALL other categories of crime are likewise down massively since I got involved,” Trump wrote last month in a Truth Social post.

“DC will soon be a CRIME FREE ZONE, in only 14 days, far faster than scheduled. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The president’s latest announcement signals that his administration plans to expand the use of National Guard resources and federal agents in urban areas facing persistent crime challenges.

Both Memphis and New Orleans are now expected to receive additional federal support as part of those efforts.