Memphis Mayor Refutes Trump’s False Claims on National Guard Support

Memphis Mayor Paul Young publicly rejected President Trump’s assertion that he is “happy” about the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis, emphasizing his deep concerns about the situation. Young made it clear that he does not support federal intervention and the manner in which it has been proposed to curb crime in the city.
In an interview, Young expressed his belief that the authority to call in the National Guard lies with the governor and the president, leaving local leaders with limited influence over the decision. He stated, “it is something that we don’t have a choice in,” underscoring the mayor’s discontent with Trump’s framing of the deployment as welcomed.
Trump’s comments during a Fox News interview suggested that both Young and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee were enthusiastic about the plan, which Young categorically denied. The mayor highlighted that, while additional assistance is always welcome, the city is actively working to reduce crime through its own initiatives, demonstrating significant progress in recent years.
Young reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the National Guard’s involvement aligns with the community’s needs. This response comes amid Trump’s broader initiative that has targeted other Democrat-led cities, positioning their leadership as supportive of authoritarian measures.
As Memphis faces challenges linked to crime rates, the mayor’s insistence on maintaining local control over safety measures intends to resist Trump’s narrative and approach, already criticized as heavy-handed and out of touch with community needs.
(h/t: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5503919-national-guard-deployment-memphis/)