MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In just one month, federal law enforcement agencies have made more than 1,700 arrests in Memphis, Tennessee, following President Trump’s decision to deploy additional resources to one of America’s most crime-plagued cities, according to data shared with Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
The results have been dramatic. Federal and local officers arrested suspects on charges ranging from homicide to drug trafficking, gun crimes, and sex offenses — including 126 known gang members. Authorities also rescued seven dozen missing children and seized 293 illegal firearms as part of the Justice Department-led operation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the effort and thanked Memphis’ Democratic city leadership for cooperating with the federal mission.
“Tolerating crime is a choice. Under President Trump, we choose law and order: residents of our cities do not have to live in fear of violent crime,” Bondi said. “Our federal surge into Memphis has put gang members behind bars, rescued dozens of children, and proven that collaboration between federal and local law enforcement can quickly make American cities safe again. I am grateful to all of our partners, especially Memphis leadership, for working closely alongside our agents.”
Federal Action, Local Results
The operation — dubbed the “Memphis Safe Task Force” — was announced by President Trump last month in the Oval Office alongside Bondi, Cabinet officials, and Tennessee leaders. Since the DOJ’s arrival on September 29, the impact has been clear: Memphis’ serious crime rate has dropped 46%, according to the city’s own crime dashboard.
Broad Federal Coordination
More than a dozen federal agencies are now active in Memphis, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, supported by National Guard troops. A source familiar with the operation confirmed that the federal presence will remain “for now,” with no set end date.
While Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, has been measured in his public comments, he has remained cooperative.
Residents Feel the Change
On the streets, many Memphis residents are already noticing a difference. A viral video showed one woman — who described herself as “not political” — expressing deep gratitude for the Trump administration’s actions.
“I will say thank you to Trump for bringing these National Guards and doing what they’re doing down here in Memphis,” she said. “For the first time in five years — I’ve been in my home for five years — and for the first time my kids have been able to play in the backyard and be able to do it comfortably. I haven’t heard a gunshot in two weeks.”
