Ogles calls for National Guard in Nashville, where violent crime is declining
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Violent crime in Nashville dropped precipitously in the first eight months of the year, while police funding increased yet again in the new Metro budget.
Why it matters: The numbers provide important context against the backdrop of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, who represents a swath of the city, calling for the National Guard to be deployed here.
Driving the news: In a series of social media posts, Ogles bashed Mayor Freddie O'Connell over public safety. Ogles made wild remarks about O'Connell being sympathetic to "international gangs."
- Ogles also pointed to FBI crime data, which put Nashville in the top 10 cities for violent crime per capita.
What he's saying: "We don't just need the National Guard in Memphis, send them to Nashville," Ogles posted on X. Comrade O'Connell is using the city as an outpost for international gangs to set up shop in our neighborhoods. Punish criminals and the Mayors who work for them."
By the numbers: The Metro Nashville Police Department clapped back on social media with crime stats showing significant progress in 2025.
- Fatal shootings are down 30.8% this year. Violent crime dropped 12.5% overall. Property crime is down 9.9%.
- Rape, aggravated assaults, robberies and auto thefts are all down as well.
Meanwhile: Police funding has increased steadily in recent years. In the budget prior to O'Connell taking office, Metro spent $305 million on the police budget.
- The current budget allocates $345.9 million. The O'Connell administration has focused on increasing hiring and opening a new Southeast Precinct.
- The city also invested in restorative justice programs and creating the Office of Youth Safety in recent budgets.
The other side: O'Connell returned criticism on Ogles at his weekly media availability Friday.
- "This is a congressman who is himself under investigation, who seems to be showing off for the president so he can get a pardon," O'Connell said. "This is somebody who's involved in a political race of his own but seems more invested in a city he neither has an office or lives in."
- "It's absurd hearing his claims about crime stats."
Zoom out: Ogles also posted about an incident on Sunday in which armed men assaulted people on the Seigenthaler Bridge downtown.
- Police arrested four people they say were involved in the assaults within three days of the incident.
Context: At the same time Ogles cranked up the criticism of Nashville, the field of candidates seeking to replace him grew.
- Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder reported raising over $500,000 in the 24 hours after he announced a bid for the District 5 seat. Metro Councilmember Mike Cortese is also in the race.
- Speculation is increasing that outgoing state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher could run in the Republican primary against Ogles as well.
The big picture: President Trump sent National Guard troops to Washington D.C. and indicated he intends to do so in Chicago as well.
- Memphis ranked No. 1 in the same FBI list of violent crimes per capita that put Nashville in the top 10.
- Trump told a conservative radio host he's receptive to sending the National Guard there. Gov. Bill Lee said earlier this week "nothing is off the table" about the possibility of sending the National Guard to Memphis.
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Editor's note: this story was updated with comments from O'Connell and additional information.