MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is voicing her support for bringing the National Guard to Memphis.
In a statement shared with Action News 5 on Monday, Blackburn said she’s joining other Republican leaders endorsing President Donald Trump’s efforts to “restore law and order” to cities with high crime rates across the country.
The Memphis Police Department and Police Chief CJ Davis have repeatedly touted a drop in recent crime, citing quarterly statistics released in collaboration with the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission in the form of press releases sent to media outlets.
Less than two weeks ago, the president spoke with a local conservative radio host, who asked Trump if the federal government would step in to address the high crime rate in Memphis.
“I will be,” said Trump. “We’re doing sort of a test right now in D.C. It’s working unbelievably; much faster than we thought. We’ve arrested hundreds of criminals, hardline criminals.”
State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) previously suggested that the National Guard could perform administrative duties while Memphis’ own law enforcement takes to the streets.
“It’s hard to argue with success,” said Taylor. “They have not had a single murder in Washington DC since President Trump brought the troops to DC.”
Meanwhile, State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis) argues the crime issue in Memphis can not be solved with more boots on the ground.
“As soon as they leave, if we don’t fix some of these structural issues, the crime rate is gonna go right back up,” says Sen. Lamar.
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