Federal Law Enforcement Surge in Memphis After Task Force Deployment

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:38:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi joined Tennessee Governor Bill Lee as a federal task force aims to combat crime in Memphis, resulting in over 50 arrests in just two days.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a federal law enforcement task force has officially begun its crackdown on crime following a meeting between key officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Memphis Safe Task Force, operating under President Trump's directive, has made over 50 arrests in two days, relying on enhanced collaboration with local agencies. While supporters see this as a necessary measure to combat violent crime, critics argue that it represents an unnecessary federal encroachment on local policing.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In a significant push to address rising crime, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi met with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in Memphis on Wednesday, coinciding with the operational launch of a new federal task force aimed at combating lawlessness in the area.

Footage showed Hegseth’s arrival at the airport and his greeting with Governor Lee, a staunch supporter of the law enforcement surge. Bondi later announced on social media that the Memphis Safe Task Force had already made over 50 arrests within just 48 hours. The taskforce comprises federal agents specializing in immigration and drug enforcement, who are now working in tandem with state entities like the Tennessee Highway Patrol to conduct criminal arrests and traffic stops.

This operation is part of a broader initiative by President Trump aimed at deploying National Guard troops and increasing federal law enforcement presence in major American cities, particularly those governed by Democrats. Trump has justified these measures as essential to tackling crime and immigration issues, which he argues are exacerbated by Democratic policies.

As part of this initiative, over 200 officers have been sworn in to assist, with mobile command centers established for coordination. “With the addition of federal resources in Memphis, it’s reasonable to expect an increase in warrant enforcement activity targeting violent offenders,” said Ryan Guay, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal.

The task force also includes the Tennessee National Guard, although Governor Lee clarified that he did not expect more than 150 National Guard members to be deployed in the city, with an emphasis on maintaining a supportive rather than a combative presence.

While crime rates have generally decreased in Memphis this year, the community has still seen worrying levels of violent crime, particularly in carjackings and homicides. Critics claim that the federal presence is akin to an occupation of a primarily Black city that needs investment in social services rather than policing interventions.

In conjunction with developments in Memphis, increased law enforcement activities have also been reported across the country, with federal agents executing numerous immigration-related arrests in places such as Chicago, indicating an escalation in federal engagement in local law enforcement activities.