The Trump administration is reaching out to Democratic mayors and governors to expand its crime-fighting initiatives nationwide. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in Memphis this week, highlighted the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force, noting that the city once had the highest violent crime rate in the country but has seen dramatic improvements under President Trump’s leadership. Bondi emphasized that public safety transcends political parties, stating, “We want to help anyone regardless of political party,” and stressed that tolerating crime is a choice the administration refuses to make. Over the past 56 days, murders dropped more than 50 percent, sexual assaults over 40 percent, and robberies around 60 percent, while 121 children were safely returned home.
Federal and local officials in Tennessee praised the initiative, calling Memphis a potential model for cities nationwide. Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton noted that tracking crime at the street level and coordinating federal, state, and local resources helped reduce violent crime to a 20-year low in just 56 days. He emphasized that public safety should be nonpartisan, allowing children to live freely and safely.
Senator Marsha Blackburn and Governor Bill Lee also praised the effort. Blackburn called Memphis a model for teamwork in combating violent crime, while Lee reflected on his personal connection to the city, acknowledging the historic burden crime has placed on Memphis and expressing gratitude to those who have kept the city safe.