Image Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) announced Wednesday that fifty state troopers are being sent to Memphis to help the Memphis Police Department combat crime.
Lee explained that his office has been in “constant communication” with the Trump administration to figure out a plan to address crime in the West Tennessee city.
“For months, I have been in constant communication with the Trump Administration to develop a strategic plan to combat crime in Memphis, leveraging the full extent of both federal and state resources,” Lee said.
As part of this plan, the governor stated that he has activated fifty Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) troopers to Memphis, saying that the action will bring THP’s presence in Shelby County up “to record levels.”
According to the governor, the “multi-phased” plan his office has been discussing with federal officials includes “Operation Viper,” a task force made up of local, state and federal law enforcement to target violent offenders.
The task force has reportedly made hundreds of arrests already.
At this time, there has been no confirmation from the governor regarding rumors of National Guard deployment to Memphis in efforts to curb crime, but he has now reiterated multiple times that nothing is off the table.
“While the FBI and THP operations continue, we are actively discussing the next phase of our strategy to accelerate the positive momentum that’s already underway, and nothing is off the table,” said Lee.
“Every Memphian deserves to live in a safe neighborhood,” he continued. “I am grateful to President Trump and his team for their unwavering support and thank all federal and local officials for their continued partnership.”
According to ABC24, Memphis Mayor Paul Young seems to be taking the rumors of National Guard deployment as a serious possibility and has already briefed city council members and held a conference call with local business leaders on how to “prepare for the potential arrival” of National Guard troops.
Young previously stated at a town hall meeting that he would be staying in communication with the governor regarding the issue but that he hoped local and state-level efforts to reduce crime in Memphis would keep the troops away.
“Any call for National Guard will have much more input from the Governor, and so my goal is to keep the line of communications open,” Young said.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-District 5) have also publicly expressed their support for National Guard deployment to the city of Memphis.
“Blue cities like Memphis need all the help they can get to combat violent crime and I’m grateful for President Trump’s tremendous work to hold leftist officials accountable for putting their own citizens at risk by pushing soft-on-crime agendas,” said Blackburn.
“We don’t just need the National Guard in Memphis, send them to Nashville,” Ogles wrote on social media. “Comrade [Mayor Freddie] O’Connell is using the city as an outpost for international gangs to set up shop in our neighborhoods. Punish criminals and the mayors who work for them.”
Many of the Republican candidates for Tennessee’s District 7 special election for U.S. Congress have also expressed support for potential federal intervention in Memphis during a candidate forum hosted by the Republican Women of Williamson County.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Memphis is TN’s worst cancer. Hope it can be helped.