Washington, March 24 (NationPress) President Donald Trump visited Memphis to commend a significant decline in reported violent crime, leveraging this occasion to advocate for decisive federal action to restore safety in struggling American cities.

During a roundtable discussion on Monday, Trump showcased Memphis as a prime example of his law-and-order strategy.

“We’ve achieved one of the largest, fastest declines in violent crime ever recorded,” Trump stated, pointing to a 60% decrease in robberies, a 74% drop in carjackings and motor vehicle thefts, and a 70% reduction in murders from their peak.

The task force, initiated in September 2025 and modeled after a similar initiative in Washington, united federal, state, and local agencies, along with the National Guard.

US Marshals Service Director Gady Serralta reported that the operation resulted in “over 7,342 arrests” within just over six months, which included 44 homicide cases, 812 drug-related offenses, and 757 gang-related crimes. Additionally, more than 1,200 illegal firearms were confiscated, and 150 missing children were located and safely returned.

Serralta noted that these efforts led to a 43% decrease in total serious crimes, a 37% decline in murders, a 40% reduction in sexual assaults, a 56% drop in robberies, and a 68% decrease in motor vehicle thefts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, stating, “Some people choose to tolerate crime, but you chose law and order, and that’s why this task force worked.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee remarked on the visible changes, declaring, “What’s happened in the last six months has changed that story entirely,” referring to the transformation as a “generational change.”

Trump also announced that National Guard members participating in the Memphis task force, as well as those in Washington, New Orleans, and border missions, would receive the same benefits as active-duty military personnel.

Several officials positioned Memphis as part of a larger national strategy. FBI Director Kash Patel remarked that law enforcement had successfully apprehended gang members, rapists, murderers, and drug dealers at unprecedented levels. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons mentioned that 619 undocumented immigrants were arrested, while clarifying that the operation “wasn’t an immigration-led operation.”

The event carried a strong political message, as Trump accused Democrats of causing disruptions at US airports due to a funding dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, urging Republicans to include voter identification and proof of citizenship measures in any future agreements.

Before addressing domestic issues, Trump stated that he had ordered a temporary halt on planned US strikes against Iranian energy targets following discussions with Tehran. “We are now having really good discussions,” he noted, emphasizing that the United States would allow diplomacy to unfold over the next five days.

Local participants shared their experiences with crime and the recent positive changes. Business owner Tim Pugh expressed that repeated thefts had adversely affected his business, while resident Dalisia Ballinger described living in fear prior to the law enforcement crackdown. “It’s been almost six months, and it’s like a whole new world,” she remarked.

Memphis has historically faced challenges related to violent crime, and public safety continues to be a pivotal political issue nationwide. Trump has prioritized crime reduction, border security, and support for law enforcement as key components of his administration.