Trump Highlights Crime Drop in Memphis, Links to Border Security

Trump Praises Memphis Crime Reduction, Links to National Security

Former President Donald Trump held a roundtable event in Memphis, Tennessee, where he highlighted a significant drop in crime rates in the city, attributing the success to a federal task force and his administration’s policies. Speaking to attendees, Trump emphasized the improvements in Memphis, a city once described as the “murder capital of the USA,” and drew parallels to similar successes in Washington D.C. He also used the platform to advocate for stricter border security measures and voter ID laws, linking them directly to national security and homeland security.

Operation Epic Fury and Iran Negotiations

Trump began his remarks by discussing “Operation Epic Fury,” a military operation against Iran. He announced that planned strikes against major energy and electricity targets in Iran had been temporarily postponed following preliminary conversations between the two nations. Trump stated that these discussions were aimed at reaching a broader agreement, expressing optimism that Iran “means business” this time. He reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a goal he claimed would have been compromised by the previous Iran nuclear deal.

He detailed the military’s actions against Iran’s capabilities, claiming the U.S. military had “decimated” Iran’s military, navy, and air force, destroying over 90% of their ballistic missile and drone programs. Trump also mentioned the elimination of Iranian leaders through military actions, stating that the regime’s ability to threaten America was being systematically dismantled.

Advocacy for Voter ID and Border Security

A significant portion of Trump’s speech focused on domestic policy, particularly immigration and election integrity. He criticized Democrats for what he called a “disgraceful shutdown” of the Department of Homeland Security, claiming they were holding up funding to prioritize support for undocumented immigrants and sanctuary cities. Trump strongly advocated for the “Save America Act,” demanding that any deal include voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements for voting. He labeled mail-in voting as “mail-in cheating” and insisted that voter identification is a crucial aspect of homeland security.

Trump also addressed issues at airports, blaming Democrats for disruptions and suggesting that ICE agents be put in charge to assist the TSA. He called for an end to what he termed “extortion by the Democrats” regarding funding negotiations and criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, describing them as a “disaster” that allowed criminals and individuals from mental institutions and jails to enter the country.

Memphis Crime Reduction Success Story

Returning to the topic of Memphis, Trump presented a stark contrast between the city’s past and present crime statistics. He recalled accounts from FedEx founder Fred Smith, a friend, who had described Memphis as so dangerous that board members feared walking to their hotels. Trump stated that before his administration’s intervention, Memphis averaged more than one murder per day and had a crime rate higher than some major international cities. He cited figures from the year before he took office, including over 12,500 violent assaults, 429 rapes, and 7,600 burglaries and armed robberies.

Trump announced that under the federal task force initiative, modeled on a similar effort in Washington D.C., Memphis has seen one of the largest and fastest declines in violent crime ever recorded. He claimed a 60% drop in robberies, a 74% drop in carjackings, and a 70% reduction in murders from its peak. The task force, he noted, involved 22 federal agencies, state and local police, and 1,500 members of the National Guard. He credited the success to law enforcement heroes and the political leaders who “had the courage to do what they did.”

National Guard Benefits and Future Outlook

In closing, Trump announced that the Secretary of War had signed a directive ensuring that all National Guard members serving on task forces, including those in D.C., New Orleans, and border security missions, would receive the same benefits as active-duty troops. He expressed confidence that Memphis would continue its progress, becoming a virtually crime-free city and a place people would choose to live and return to. He thanked Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of War Pete Hanks for their work and reiterated his belief that the policies implemented were making America safer and more respected globally.

Source: LIVE SOON 1ET: Trump roundtable in Memphis (YouTube)