Some members of the Memphis City Council have introduced a resolution urging Governor Bill Lee to reject President Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops or the Tennessee State Guard to Memphis.
The resolution is sponsored by Councilwoman Jerri Green, Chairman JB Smiley Jr., Councilwoman Pearl Eva Walker, and Councilman Dr. Jeff Warren.
“We need resources to support our schools. We need resources to support our infrastructure. We do not need Donald Trump and his National Guard in the City of Memphis. Let’s be clear about that,” said Smiley during a joint press conference in Memphis, Thursday, outside City Hall.
The resolution states that “the Memphis City Council authorizes the Council Attorney to take whatever legal action is necessary to oppose the occupation of the National Guard in Memphis.”
Green and other council members say Memphis needs funding instead of troops, for things like mental health resources, schools, and infrastructure.
They also argue the National Guard presence will impact tourism, sending would-be tourists to DeSoto County or other nearby areas.
“I understand that we are the underdog in this fight, but just a few blocks from here, there’s a place called St. Jude where children and doctors beat the odds every day,” said Green. “I’m not going down without a fight.”
According to the resolution, the “council does not find that the circumstances currently meet the threshold outlined in the Tennessee code to enlist our troops into service; and the Memphis Police Department recently reported that overall crime in Memphis has reached a 25-year low as of September 2025; and studies indicate that militarization of law enforcement such as those with weapons, attire, or tactics of war, do not enhance public safety or reduce crime and put law enforcement more at risk.”
Abigail Jackson, a spokeswoman for the White House, provided a statement in response to the Memphis City Council’s resolution:
“In 2024, Memphis had the highest violent crime rate, highest property crime rate, and third-highest murder rate in the U.S. Following the President’s highly successful operation to combat violent crime in DC, which objectively drove down crime rates across the board, numerous Tennessee officials have applauded the President’s decision to address crime in Memphis next. Addressing crime will benefit all who live in and visit Memphis.”
Luke Cymbal, the Vice Chairman for the Republican Party of Shelby County, said the party has strongly condemned the resolution.
“This was introduced by attention-seeking city council members urging Governor Bill Lee to reject generous federal resources to help us tackle our crime challenge in Memphis. This resolution is nothing more than a political stunt and undermines collaborative efforts across agencies to address our city’s crime crisis,” said Cymbal.
Cymbal said the National Guard coming to Memphis is needed.
“These certain council members are profoundly out of touch with the everyday Memphians who are living in fear due to rampant violent crime and are tired of routine property crimes. Instead of offering real solutions, they are appealing to the fringes to grab headlines and notoriety, prioritizing partisan posturing over public safety,” said Cymbal. “Their opposition ignores the desperate pleas from our community for immediate action and dismisses the proven benefits of additional law enforcement resources, such as those already provided by state troopers and FBI partnerships.”
Cymbal said the party urges all local leaders to put politics aside and support these critical measures so we can restore law and order in Memphis.
“By focusing on the National Guard, which will be performing administrative functions so our local law enforcement can get back out on the street to catch criminals and restore law and order, and ignoring the thoughtful inter-agency approach, these council members are choosing to fear monger for personal attention,” said Cymbal. “Unlike these attention-seeking council members (some of whom are simply seeking the Democrat Party’s nomination for Governor), the Republican Party of Shelby County is serious about regaining control of our crime crisis. We applaud Governor Lee and President Trump.”
Green stated that many members of the National Guard in Tennessee also serve in local law enforcement or as first responders. She said, and as the resolution reads, “any removal of local public safety personnel and resources threatens the process that has been made and reduces our capacity to prevent, deter, and solve crimes more directly and efficiently.”
State Representative Justin J. Pearson also spoke during the press conference Thursday and stated that Lee is not interested in dealing with the root causes of the problems in Memphis.
“They want there to be a problem, and they want there to not be solutions that they can offer for political gain because we have to be honest. This is a political dictator pushing us toward an authoritarian regime to destroy our democracy, to destroy our voice and to stop us from fighting back,” said Pearson. “We say no.”
Pearson said some people in power are “accepting the oppression” and “bending the knee” by not speaking out against the President Trump’s action.
“How can you deprive us of resources and then tell us the only solution is military occupation?” Pearson asked.
Memphis Police Association Vice President John Covington pointed out that the Democrats are being disingenuous in their claims regarding lack of funding for law-enforcement. The Memphis City Council promised a 5% pay raise for police officers this year and then reduced that to 3%. We are currently 400 officers below where we should be; and with a full complement of officers we could effectively deal with the crime issues in Memphis,” Covington pointed out.
The Memphis City Council had several organizations from across Memphis standing alongside them, including Democratic Women of Shelby County, Black Lives Matter, and the ACLU.
Meanwhile, Shelby County Republicans held a rally welcoming the troops to Memphis. Local GOP leaders, including State Senator Brent Taylor, State Representative John Gillespie, and Shelby County Commissioners Brandon Morrison, Amber Mills and Mick Wright, were flanked by dozens of citizens waving the American flag. Nationally syndicated radio host Todd Starnes, owner of KWAM in Memphis, also spoke at the rally.
The resolution is expected to receive a vote in the Council on Tuesday.
Steve Gill is the publisher and editor of TriStar Daily.
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