Trump sending National Guard to Memphis, says Chicago's "probably next"
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President Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
President Trump signed an order Monday to deploy the National Guard to Memphis in what he said would be a "replica" of his D.C. crime crackdown — and said Chicago is "probably next."
Why it matters: The latest test of Trump's presidential powers comes in the face of opposition from Memphis Mayor Paul Young (D).
- Trump noted on Truth Social that he signed the presidential memorandum "at the request" of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R), who was alongside him as he signed it.
Driving the news: Trump's order establishes the Memphis Safe Task Force, which he said "will be a replica of our extraordinary successful efforts" in D.C. "and you'll see it's a lot of the same thing."
- In addition to the National Guard, law enforcement on the ground in Memphis will include the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. marshals.
What we're watching: Trump had previously threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago, but he switched to Memphis amid pushback from the city's Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D).
The other side: When asked for comment on Trump's remarks, the Illinois' governor's office directed Axios to Pritzker's comments at a Monday morning briefing, saying that the president had previously ruled out deploying troops to Chicago.
- "On the other hand, as you've heard, the president says things one day and then goes back on them the next day, changes his mind from week to week, so we never really know what he intends to do," Pritzker added. "All I can say is that sending troops into any American city is a terrible idea."
- Representatives for Johnson's office did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday evening request for comment on Trump's remarks.
- Trump also indicated that St. Louis and New Orleans could be other targets for his crime crackdown.
Go deeper: Trump threatens to retake control of D.C. police if it doesn't cooperate with ICE
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
