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President Trump Visits Memphis to Highlight Crime Reduction Efforts
President Donald Trump visited Memphis on Monday, March 23, 2026, to spotlight the achievements of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a multi-agency operation launched in September 2025 following a presidential executive order .
Since its inception, the task force—which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement—has made over 7,200 arrests, seized nearly 1,200 illegal firearms, and located 150 missing children . Overall crime in Memphis has dropped approximately 43% to 45% compared to the previous year, according to local officials .
“These are the lowest crime numbers month over month in 25 years in Memphis,” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said ahead of the president’s arrival .
The president was joined at a roundtable discussion by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, among other officials .
Lighthearted Moments: Graceland and a Move to Tennessee
During the event, Trump took a moment to lighten the mood, joking about his appreciation for the state. “I love Tennessee. Maybe someday I’ll move to Tennessee, I might have to move,” he said to applause .
He also announced plans to visit Elvis Presley’s Graceland after the official proceedings. “I’m going to see Graceland after this, I think. I love Elvis,” Trump said . The side trip to the iconic tourist attraction—the second most-visited private home in the U.S. after the White House—offered a contrast to the weightier matters of the ongoing Iran war and domestic airport disruptions he addressed earlier .
Praise, Politics, and Local Reaction
The roundtable featured a notable moment when White House adviser Stephen Miller delivered an extended speech praising Trump’s “vision, courage, and determination,” prompting the president to turn to FBI Director Kash Patel and joke: “Thank you, Stephen. So Kash, see if you can top that!” Patel responded with his own tribute, calling Trump’s leadership “brilliant” .
While the administration highlighted the task force’s successes, the National Guard presence remains polarizing in Memphis. Local Democratic leaders questioned the political motivations behind the surge, while some residents expressed support for the increased law enforcement presence . A Reuters/Ipsos poll last month showed 61% of respondents support deporting unauthorized immigrants, though opinions remain split on hard-line tactics
