President Donald Trump signs a Presidential Memorandum inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on September 15, 2025. The memorandum will deploy U.S. National Guard troops to Memphis to fight crime.
President Donald Trump presents a signed Presidential Memorandum inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on September 15, 2025. The memorandum sends U.S. National Guard troops into Tennessee to "restore law and order" in the city of Memphis. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
Trump signs the Presidential Memorandum. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
Trump speaks before signing. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offers remarks. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (L) and Attorney General Pam Bondi are present for the signing. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
"I'm signing a presidential memorandum to establish the Memphis Safe Task Force and it's very important because of the crime that's going on not only in Memphis, but in many cities and we're going to take care of all of them," Trump said. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
According to the White House, violent crime in Memphis has "overwhelmed its local government's ability to respond effectively." The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Memphis had the highest rate of violent crime per capita last year to include murder, robbery, aggravated assault and property crimes. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., (L) listens as Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI
The scene inside the Oval Office. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI