Bondi and Hegseth visit Memphis as hundreds of federal forces prepare to deploy amid crackdown
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth visited Memphis as a multi‑agency federal surge — including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals and personnel from about 13 federal agencies — prepared to deploy alongside state troopers and a deputized Tennessee National Guard contingent under the newly formed "Memphis Safe Task Force." Officials said mobile command centers were set up and arrests and seizures have already been reported (Bondi cited more than 50 arrests and 20 firearms seized while other officials put the total as high as nearly 100), with hundreds of federal officers expected to arrive in the coming days and Guard members reportedly to serve in support roles and not make arrests or be armed unless requested by local authorities.
Law Enforcement
Public Safety
Politics
Crime
🔍 Key Facts
- The Trump administration established the 'Memphis Safe Task Force'—modeled on the Washington, D.C., initiative—to coordinate a federal surge in Memphis.
- The operation involves personnel from roughly 13 federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA and ATF, with 'hundreds' of federal officers expected to arrive to support local and state partners.
- State participation includes an estimated 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers; Tennessee National Guard members will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service, with Gov. Bill Lee estimating about 150 Guard members.
- Officials say deputized Guard troops will serve in support roles, will not make arrests and will not be armed unless local law enforcement requests it; Guardsmen will wear standard uniforms and officials said armored vehicles will not be used.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Memphis as the task force began operating; Bondi and officials credited the operation with making dozens of arrests and seizures—reports range from 'more than 50' to 'nearly 100' arrests—and about 20 illegal firearms seized.
- Authorities said arrests have included individuals tied to serious crimes (reports cite a Tren de Aragua gang member and a suspect wanted in a child‑rape case); the U.S. Marshals and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation set up mobile command centers at a staging area and said they will provide periodic updates on arrests, charges and participating agencies.
- Reporting indicates federal agents were already operating in the city and that the deployment will proceed in phases over the coming weeks and months as additional federal and state personnel arrive.
- Local reaction and context are mixed: Memphis launched a public updates website and Mayor Paul Young emphasized missions like beautification and homelessness services, residents report recent violent incidents even as citywide crime was reported at a 25‑year low for the year, and the state committed $100 million in public‑safety grants.
📍 Contextual Background
- A crime statistician testified that rates of murder and violent crime were falling nationwide and in Charlotte after increases early in the 2020s (as of 2025-09-29).
📰 Sources (13)
Tennessee governor praises federal government's crackdown on crime in Memphis
New information:
- Direct on‑the‑record quotes from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee praising the federal crackdown and calling it a 'generational opportunity'.
- Fox reports federal agents in Memphis logged 'nearly 100 arrests' over the past 72 hours, including a Tren de Aragua gang member and a suspect wanted in a child rape case.
- Article reiterates that President Trump signed a mid‑September memorandum establishing the 'Memphis Safe Task Force' modeled on the D.C. initiative.
Memphis sees opportunity in Trump's plans for federal intervention
New information:
- Local, on-the-ground reaction and human-impact detail (barber Carnell Vann Jr. describing his sister Marlanda's recent fatal shooting and neighborhood context)
- White House statement that nearly 100 arrests have already been made in Memphis tied to the federal operation
- Reporting that Memphis is the first such federal surge in a Republican-led state and that Gov. Bill Lee requested the National Guard
- NPR analysis context from the Washington, D.C. operation showing the majority of arrests there were misdemeanors and many were immigration-related
- Timeline detail: federal agents already operating in the city; National Guard troops expected to arrive within roughly two weeks
Trump administration officials in Memphis for latest federal effort to crack down on crime
New information:
- CBS reports that 'hundreds' of federal forces will soon arrive in Memphis as part of the enforcement effort.
- Memphis police told CBS that crime in the city has dropped to a historic 25‑year low in the first eight months of the year.
Trump administration's Memphis crime crackdown begins
New information:
- CBS reports that 'hundreds' of federal officers are expected to arrive in Memphis soon to support the crackdown.
- CBS on‑the‑ground coverage (reporter Nicole Valdes) confirms an imminent federal reinforcement deployment.
Hegseth, Bondi arrive in Memphis to oversee federal crackdown on crime
New information:
- CBS reports at least 53 arrests in Memphis since Monday (updated arrest count).
- On‑scene CBS video confirms Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi have arrived in Memphis to oversee the federal operation.
- CBS correspondent Nicole Valdes filed the video report.
WATCH: Bondi discusses federal law enforcement task force deployment to Memphis
New information:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi met with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee in Memphis as the task force began operating.
- Bondi posted that the Memphis Safe Task Force made 'more than 50 arrests' over a two‑day period (reported by AP/PBS).
- More than 200 officers were deputized to the task force, according to Bondi's statement.
- Mobile command centers for the U.S. Marshals Service and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were set up at a staging area.
- Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Ryan Guay said (via email) that the Marshals Service will release periodic updates with arrest numbers, charges and participating agencies.
- Agents involved include immigration and drug‑enforcement personnel teaming with state agencies such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol to serve warrants and conduct traffic stops.
- Governor Lee said he does not expect more than 150 National Guard members to be sent and that troops would not be armed or make arrests unless requested by local authorities.
Trump administration touts Memphis task force, Bondi expected to visit city
New information:
- Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly touted that the Memphis task force made 53 arrests.
- Bondi said the operation seized 20 illegal firearms.
- Bondi is expected to visit Memphis on Wednesday (near-term official visit).
Things to know about federal law enforcement activity in Chicago, Portland, Memphis
New information:
- Reports Memphis officials expect arrival this week of additional federal authorities including immigration and drug enforcement agents and cites Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s public expectation.
- Places the Memphis preparations in the same weekend context as federal actions in Chicago and Portland, underscoring a coordinated surge in multiple cities.
What to know about the National Guard and federal agencies coming to Memphis
New information:
- Gov. Bill Lee gave a preliminary estimate of about 150 National Guard members (caveated as not finalized).
- The article compares Memphis and Washington, D.C., with concrete population and area figures (Memphis ~611,000 across ~300 sq mi; Washington ~702,000 across ~68 sq mi) to show operational differences.
- Quotes from former Memphis police commander Thaddeus Johnson warning about possible economic/tourism impacts, and from Memphis Mayor Paul Young advocating beautification and homelessness services as missions for the task force.
- Lee said most Guard members would be Tennessee military police and reiterated Guard members won't make arrests and won't be armed unless local authorities request it.
- State committed another $100 million in public‑safety grants for Memphis; federal officers from FBI, DEA and ATF will start arriving next week.
An influx of federal agents will arrive in Memphis next week, governor says
New information:
- The operation will include personnel from 13 federal agencies (article names FBI, DEA, ATF among them).
- 300 troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be part of the deployment.
- Gov. Bill Lee said the National Guard will serve in support roles and 'will not be armed unless it is requested by local law enforcement'; the operation will proceed in phases over 'the next weeks and months.'
- Memphis city government launched a website to provide updates about the incoming federal resources; Mayor Paul Young provided on‑the‑record remarks recognizing community concerns.
More federal agents will join fight against crime in Memphis next week, Tennessee governor says
New information:
- Governor Bill Lee said the surge includes 13 federal agencies and state troopers and will operate under a 'Memphis Safe Task Force'.
- National Guard troops from Tennessee will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service and 'will not make arrests' and 'will not be armed unless local law enforcement requests it.'
- Officials said agents from the FBI, ATF and DEA will arrive next week; the governor indicated he expects no more than roughly 150 Guard members though the number remains in planning.
- Operational notes: Guardsmen will wear standard uniforms (no masks) and 'armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission.'
Federal Agents Heading to Memphis as Part of Trump’s Crime Crackdown
New information:
- Federal agencies involved: FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, ATF, and U.S. Marshals
- Location and timing: Memphis, Tennessee — agents expected to arrive 'next week' (per Gov. Bill Lee)
- Coordination: Gov. Bill Lee said the city and state have been planning the deployment with federal officials for several months as part of the administration’s crime initiative
Tennessee governor says more federal agents to join fight against crime in Memphis
New information:
- Gov. Bill Lee said Tennessee National Guard troops will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to support local law enforcement.
- Lee said the Guard 'will not make arrests and will not be armed unless local law enforcement officials request it' and that Guardsmen will be in standard uniforms and not masked; 'armored tanks will not be a resource used in this mission.'
- Officials said FBI, ATF and DEA agents will arrive next week and the surge will operate in phases under the 'Memphis Safe Task Force.'
- Governor reiterated the Guard contingent is expected to be small (he previously said he didn’t think there would be more than 150 troops) and that no state of emergency will be declared.