By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square
(Worthy News) –
Taylor said in a post on social media that he and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., have discussed Memphis’ crime problem for months.
“The senator and I have talked about how National Guard troops can best be used as a force multiplier to support local, state, and federal law enforcement officials,” Taylor said. “This may include administrative and logistical support for law enforcement professionals permitting an increased presence of local and state officials in the community seeking out law breakers and protecting the public.”
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said he also supported the decision.
“Law and order is the first and most important function of government,” McNally said. “Memphis has not been in control of its crime problem for many years.”
Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, running for governor as a Democrat, said National Guard troops make headlines but they don’t solve problems.
“Tennessee doesn’t need more boots – we need smarter investments: common-sense gun laws, safer neighborhoods, mental health support, anti-blight funding, business training, streamlined jail processes, and survivor services,” Green said.
Trump made the announcement from a guest appearance on the network television show Fox and Friends. It comes after days of speculation and comments from the governor and mayor about crime.
Lee said Wednesday he was sending 50 members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol to Memphis.
Young said in a statement Thursday that he was aware of discussions about the National Guard coming to the city.
“We agree with Governor Lee that effective support for Memphis comes through focused initiatives that deliver results like we have seen with the FBI, state troopers, and other law enforcement partnerships,” Young said in the statement posted on WREG. “What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen MPD’s investigations. Memphis is already making measurable progress in bringing down crime, and we support initiatives that help accelerate the pace of the work our officers, community partners, and residents are doing every day.”
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest Stories from Worthy News
The U.S. government shutdown is set to continue after the Senate again failed to advance a short-term spending measure Thursday, deepening the impasse between Republicans and Democrats over health care subsidies and spending priorities.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump said he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, to discuss possible steps toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa held his first official talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday, signaling a new phase in relations between Moscow and Damascus less than a year after Sharaa’s rebel forces ousted former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad — a longtime ally of Russia.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that India will stop buying Russian oil — a move that, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in global energy alliances and strengthen Trump’s efforts to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.
Oklahoma’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lindel Fields, announced this week that his administration will not move forward with a mandate to place Bibles in public school classrooms — a policy championed by his predecessor, Ryan Walters.