Image Credit: indivisibletennessee / Instagram
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
On Saturday, left-leaning protestors gathered at the state capitol in opposition of the 150 National Guardsmen set to arrive in Memphis on Monday to help combat crime in the area.
“Deploying any national troops to a Tennessee city is entirely unnecessary. It’s a waste of resources,” said Mandy Cook, a protester with the activist group Sumner Indivisible.
According to Nashville’s WZTV, Saturday’s protestors shared concerns that Nashville could be next on the list of National Guard deployments.
“Nashville does not want, nor need, the National Guard in our streets,” Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville-District 51) said. “We need opportunity, not occupation… We know that the Trump administration, emboldened by Governor Lee, is doing this for control, turning our cities into political props for whatever chaos he has planned next.”
While U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles did previously call for a National Guard presence in Nashville, at this time public officials have not brought forward any serious contemplation of sending troops into the capital city.
Both Nashville and Memphis actually made the FBI’s 2024 list of the most violent U.S. cities.
While Nashville came in eighth with 1,124 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Memphis was ranked as the number one most violent U.S. city with 2,457 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
The recent National Guard deployment to Memphis is part of a bigger-picture “Memphis Safe Task Force” which Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) has stated will help reduce crime in the city.
The task force will also involve over 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol officers and agents from 13 different federal agencies like the FBI and DEA.
Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) has been and continues to be quite vocal in his support of these efforts from the state and federal government to “Make Memphis Matter.”
On Monday evening Sen. Taylor announced in a social media post that he will be testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the Memphis Safe Task Force.
“I will speak on how best to ensure Memphis becomes the national model for this type of surge in state and federal resources,” Sen. Taylor explained. “The Committee also asked me to address potential impediments to total success of this unprecedented opportunity. I will also have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on Memphis’ potential: one that we can only reach if we get crime under control.”
“Our Make Memphis Matter movement will be introduced to the nation as I bring YOUR voice to the marbled halls of the US Senate to keep violent and repeat offenders locked up and off Memphis streets!” Sen. Taylor continued.
The Memphis Republican concluded by saying that Tennessee won’t be able to reach its full potential of its most famous city is “sliding into chaos” but that he is determined to “stop that slide.”
Sen. Taylor was set to appear before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 for a hearing titled “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy: How the Trump Administration is Addressing the Human Cost of Soft On Crime Policies.”
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.
