As news and sightings of National Guard troops in Memphis begin to emerge, reactions — both good and bad — are starting to emerge.
The Mighty 990 on Facebook:
“White House: Things Are About to Change in Memphis
“13 federal agencies are boots-on the-ground in Memphis as the White House makes good on a promise to declare war on crime in the Bluff City. Have you seen the National Guard yet?”
Conservative talk show host Todd Starnes:
“BULLETIN: The liberation of Memphis is under way. The National Guard has arrived and so has the national media. And God bless this great 901 Patriot who dropped a truth bomb on CNN! Welcome to my hometown!”
(The post came with a clip from CNN showing a man holding a sign that read “Democrats destroyed Memphis.”)
Shelby County General Sessions Clerk Tami Sawyer:
“News reports say the National Guard itself will not arrive for two weeks, but the ‘Make Memphis whatever DJT wants it to be’ Task Force is already here. This includes hundreds of officers and agents flown in from 13 federal agencies across the country. Already, 219 officers have been federally deputized to expand their powers, and U.S. Marshals Director Gady Serralta is on the ground in Memphis, chairing the task force.
“This operation is not about safety. It is about control. It has no clear metrics, no exit strategy, and no transparency. Memphis is being used as a test case and a blueprint for how to justify federal crackdowns in other cities like Portland and Chicago. When crime is actually trending down in certain categories, they inflate a narrative of crisis to militarize our neighborhoods.
“The impact is real. It means disruption of daily life, increased surveillance, and intimidation for ordinary Memphians. Latinx and immigrant communities are especially at risk of profiling and harassment. People experiencing homelessness and those struggling with mental illness are also likely to be targeted, criminalized, and swept into a system that punishes instead of offers treatment and support. And with no end date in sight, we face the danger of permanent militarization without oversight.
“We are not powerless. Local organizers under the umbrella of #FreeThe901 are mobilizing, setting up legal rights networks, rapid response systems, and demanding compliance with civil rights protections. The more people who stay aware and connected, the stronger we are.”
Community Organizer Amber Sherman:
“The National Guard is expected to be in Memphis within two weeks. They are not even here yet. But you see who is here already? The U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, DEA, HSI, ICE, and more. They are doing lots of traffic stops. Avoid these areas they are saturating:
1. Austin Peay / Jackson Ave.
2. Frayser / Watkins
3. Ridgecrest Apartments
4. Hickory Hill / Mt. Moriah / Mendenhall
5. Emerald Ridge Apartments
6. Wheel Estate”
ACLU-Tennessee:
“President Trump and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee are deploying National Guard troops and federal agents into Memphis.
Now more than ever, it is essential for every Memphian to know their rights when interacting with military and law enforcement.”
State Rep. Justin J. Pearson:
“[Stephen Miller’s] words and their actions don’t make me feel safer. I’m praying for our city and the over-policed Black and brown people in our community, particularly. We know racial profiling has been made allowable by the Supreme Court and many innocent people will be targeted just as happened during the terrorizing era of stop and frisk. This is not how democracies should operate. We are not enemies of the government. The government is supposed to be governed by the people. We must resist and persist. #Freethe901“
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-9):
“Memphians are not enemies; they are Americans. They are entitled to constitutional rights, not their government working to ‘intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill’ them.
“We are not a training ground or target practice. ‘Maximum lethality’ is no way to treat fellow Americans.
“Memphis is one of America’s great cities with world-renowned cultural gifts, generous people, and a vibrant community.
“If the real purpose of the Memphis Safety Task Force is public safety, we must be more collaborative. I implore you to drop the wartime rhetoric and footing. I implore you to listen and respond to Memphians, coordinate with the city and county, communicate with my office, and invest in what has been working. We need long-term solutions, not political photo ops.”
U/Responsible_Type5603 on Reddit:
“They seriously gonna fly this helicopter around all damn night and we can’t get the potholes fixed.”
U/delindsey on Reddit:
“Is Jake from State Farm going to give me a sweet discount on my home and auto bundle now that Memphis is crime free?”
U/Shananigans_08 on Reddit:
And this handy comment from u/mllecorday:
