Memphis, Tennessee, September 5, 2025

News Summary

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representatives Andy Ogles and Diana Harshbarger are pushing for National Guard troops in Memphis and Nashville to address rising crime rates. Their advocacy highlights concerns over public safety, criticizing local leadership for inaction. While Governor Bill Lee hasn’t decided on deployment yet, some lawmakers emphasize the need for alternative solutions addressing root causes of crime, such as poverty and education funding. The conversation reflects a broader debate on effective approaches to improving safety in urban areas.

Memphis, Tennessee

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representatives Andy Ogles and Diana Harshbarger are advocating for the deployment of National Guard troops to combat rising crime rates in Memphis and Nashville. Their support comes amid growing concerns over safety in these cities, which they describe as “lawless” given their liberal leadership. The statements were made on September 3, amidst a backdrop of political maneuvers in Tennessee.

Blackburn, who is currently running for governor of Tennessee, expressed her gratitude for former President Trump’s focus on addressing crime in cities with liberal leadership. Harshbarger pointed to the successful deployment of National Guard troops in Washington D.C. following unrest as a model for the situation in Tennessee. Meanwhile, Ogles criticized Nashville’s Mayor Freddie O’Connell, suggesting collusion between the administration and organized crime, adding urgency to his call for National Guard intervention.

As of now, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has not made a decision regarding the deployment of the National Guard but has stated that all options to address crime in Memphis are being considered. An aide to the governor confirmed that there are currently no plans in place for such a deployment. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally signaled his support for deploying the National Guard if the governor considers it necessary.

On the other hand, lawmakers like Sen. London Lamar have criticized the push for deploying National Guard troops, labeling it as political exploitation of fear. Lamar emphasized the importance of forming genuine partnerships and prioritizing investment in addressing the root causes of crime rather than temporary fixes.

In recent developments, a federal judge ruled against Trump’s earlier plans to use National Guard troops in Los Angeles, deeming such actions as an initiative to create a national police force. Furthermore, prior to the calls for troops in Tennessee, Trump had suggested sending additional troops to Chicago and Baltimore. Interestingly, Nashville has reported incremental declines in crime rates since 2022, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department statistics.

Local law enforcement in Nashville, including the Metro Nashville Police Department, has not cooperated with federal immigration enforcement, as it is not mandated to do so. Mayor O’Connell responded to Ogles by inviting him to present the proposal for the National Guard within his own community rather than focusing on absentee critiques of Nashville’s challenges.

Nashville currently has 87 state troopers allocated to high-crime areas as part of a strategy to mitigate violent crime. Historically, the deployment of Tennessee’s National Guard troops within state borders for law enforcement purposes has been rare, primarily reserved for responses to natural disasters or significant national events. The National Guard was also activated during the protests following George Floyd’s death and to assist in federal immigration enforcement.

Contrary to the claims of surging crime, reports suggest that crime in Memphis is on a downward trend after peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local leaders argue that long-term solutions to crime need to address structural issues such as poverty and education funding, recognizing that these factors play a significant role in community safety and wellbeing.

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Additional Resources

• The Tennessean
• Google Search: Tennessee National Guard deployment
• WREG News
• Google Scholar: National Guard crime Memphis Nashville
• Fox13 Memphis
• Wikipedia: National Guard of the United States
• WSMV News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: National Guard

Author: HERE Nashville

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