The Presidential Memorandum addresses the high violent crime rate in Memphis, Tennessee, by establishing the Memphis Safe Task Force, composed of multiple federal agencies, to coordinate with state and local officials to reduce crime and restore public order.
The memorandum additionally authorizes the mobilization of Tennessee National Guard units to support law enforcement operations, utilizing strategies from prior executive orders targeting crime in the District of Columbia.
Arguments For
Intended Benefits: The memorandum aims to reduce violent crime rates and enhance public safety in Memphis by increasing law enforcement presence and coordination. It leverages existing Federal resources and expertise to support local and state efforts.
Evidence Cited: The document cites FBI data indicating Memphis's high violent crime rate in 2024, justifying the need for federal intervention. The request for federal assistance from State and local leaders provide additional evidence of the dire situation.
Implementation Methods: The creation of a Memphis Safe Task Force composed of multiple federal agencies is a direct response. Mobilization of the National Guard is also implemented to boost law enforcement capacity.
Legal/Historical Basis: The memorandum draws upon the legal authority of the President to direct federal agencies, and upon previous executive orders concerning crime in the District of Columbia as models for coordination. It cites Section 502 of Title 32, United States Code, for the National Guard mobilization.
Arguments Against
Potential Impacts: The increased federal presence could lead to concerns regarding civil liberties and potential for misuse of authority, especially regarding enforcement of quality-of-life laws. This may also create a climate of fear for some community members.
Implementation Challenges: Coordination among numerous federal, state, and local agencies could be complex and may lead to conflicts in objectives and strategies. There's a potential for resource conflicts and competing priorities.
Alternative Approaches: Focus on community-based solutions that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity, could be considered as supplementary or alternative approaches. Investment in social programs and mental health services is a potentially alternative long-term strategy.
Unintended Effects: The deployment of the National Guard and increased police presence could unintentionally escalate tensions and lead to further conflict in the community. This approach may not address the underlying social factors contributing to crime.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THE SECRETARY OF WAR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE THE DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES THE ADMINISTRATOR OF DRUG ENFORCEMENT THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
SUBJECT: Restoring Law and Order in Memphis
This section lists the recipients of the memorandum—various federal agencies and officials involved in law enforcement and other relevant areas—and states the subject matter: addressing the crime situation in Memphis.
Section 1. Background. The city of Memphis, Tennessee, is suffering from tremendous levels of violent crime that have overwhelmed its local government’s ability to respond effectively. This situation has become dire in one of our Nation’s most historic cities. According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Memphis in 2024 had the highest rate of violent crime per capita, including some of the highest per capita rates of murder, robbery, and aggravated assault, and property crimes such as burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, in the country. The city, a beacon of American culture that was Elvis’s home and is often called the birthplace of rock and roll and the blues, should be safe and secure for all of its citizens and Americans who visit its historic landmarks such as Graceland, Beale Street, and the Memphis Pyramid. To restore public safety and order, State and local leaders have requested Federal assistance, and I will act quickly to ensure that Federal authorities assist Memphis law enforcement to the fullest possible extent.
This section provides background information on the high violent crime rates in Memphis, highlighting the severity of the problem and citing FBI statistics.
It notes that state and local authorities have requested Federal intervention.
Sec. 2. Memphis Safe Task Force. (a) There is hereby established a Memphis Safe Task Force (Task Force), whose objective shall be to end street and violent crime in Memphis to the greatest possible extent through the promotion and facilitation of hypervigilant policing, aggressive prosecution, complex investigations, financial enforcement, and large-scale saturation of besieged neighborhoods with law enforcement personnel, and which shall coordinate closely with State officials in Tennessee and local officials in Memphis to share information, develop joint priorities, and maximize resources to make Memphis safe and restore public order. The Task Force shall be chaired by an individual selected and appointed by the Attorney General, who shall direct all Task Force functions and who shall coordinate with the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor. The Task Force shall also include representatives from the following executive departments and agencies (agencies), as designated by the head of the relevant agency:
(i) the Department of the Treasury; (ii) the Department of War; (iii) the Department of Justice; (iv) the Department of Health and Human Services; (v) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (vi) the Department of Transportation; (vii) the Department of Homeland Security; (viii)the United States Marshals Service; (ix) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; (x) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; (xi) the Drug Enforcement Administration; (xii) Homeland Security Investigations; and (xiii)the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
(b) The Chairman of the Task Force may also designate other agencies to participate in the Task Force as the Chairman deems necessary, as well as Inspectors General from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, the United States Postal Service, the Small Business Administration, and such other agencies as the Chairman of the Task Force determines. The head of an agency designated by the Chairman shall select a representative of the agency to serve on the Task Force.
(c) The Task Force may, to the extent permitted by law, request operational assistance from and coordinate with the Memphis Police Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Memphis Area Transit Authority, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee State Probation and Parole Office, the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Arkansas State Police, the Mississippi State Police, the Shelby County Attorney’s Office, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, the Memphis City Prosecutor’s Office, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Pretrial Services, the Shelby County Probation Section, and other Federal, State, and local officials as appropriate.
(d) The Task Force shall utilize the strategies and principles of Federal, State, and local law enforcement coordination developed and deployed pursuant to Executive Order 14252 of March 27, 2025 (Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful), and Executive Order 14333 of August 11, 2025 (Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia), as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to coordinate and ensure effective integrated action by Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities to address extensive and pervasive criminal activity and reduce crime in Memphis; enforce Federal immigration law; provide the Memphis Police Department with assistance to facilitate the recruitment, retention, and enhancement of capabilities of its police officers; dramatically increase the Federal, State, and local law enforcement presence and Federal coordination with State and local law enforcement, as appropriate; and coordinate strict enforcement of applicable quality-of-life, nuisance, and public-safety laws, including those laws prohibiting assault, battery, larceny, graffiti and other vandalism, unpermitted disturbances and demonstrations, noise, trespassing, public intoxication, drug possession, sale, vagrancy and use, and traffic violations, to make Memphis safe and secure again.
(e) The Task Force shall report to me as necessary through the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor regarding safety in Memphis and the tasks set forth in subsection (d) of this section. As part of this reporting, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Task Force, shall assess whether public-safety circumstances in Memphis require additional executive action.
This section outlines the creation and responsibilities of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
The Task Force's objective is to decrease violent crime through various enforcement actions and improved inter-agency cooperation at Federal, State, and local levels.
The Task Force’s chair will be appointed by the Attorney General and will report to the President.
The section details the agencies to participate in this task force, along with the types of actions they are expected to undertake, and specifies reporting procedures
Sec. 3. Mobilizing the National Guard to Protect Memphis. (a) The Secretary of War shall request that the Governor of Tennessee, under section 502 of title 32, United States Code, make available National Guard units of Tennessee to support public safety and law enforcement operations in Memphis, in such numbers and for such duration as the Governor may deem necessary and appropriate to assist with the activities of the Task Force. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall request such National Guard support as necessary and appropriate to accomplish this mission.
(b) The Secretary of War is further authorized to coordinate with State Governors and authorize the mobilization and training of further National Guard personnel, under section 502 of title 32, United States Code, to support the activities of the Task Force as he may deem necessary and appropriate to augment this mission.
This section details the mobilization of the Tennessee National Guard to support the Task Force's efforts.
The Secretary of War will make the initial request, allowing for additional mobilization as needed.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
This section is a standard legal disclaimer clarifying that the memorandum does not create any legally enforceable rights.