Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) stood alongside Trump and voiced his full support. “I’m tired of crime holding the great city of Memphis back,” he said.

Contrasting views

According to a White House statement, Memphis is hailed as a “cornerstone of American culture,” noted for being Elvis Presley’s hometown and recognized as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll and the blues.

Yet the city also struggles with alarming crime, the White House notes. FBI data shows that in 2024, Memphis had the highest violent crime rate in the U.S., ranking among the worst in the nation for murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and property crimes.

So far this year, the city has already recorded 150 murders — far more than what President Trump considers acceptable.

At the same time, the Memphis Police Department reports historic drops in crime, with decreases across all major categories during the first eight months of 2025 compared to previous years.