It’s all working. The Trump administration’s surge of federal law enforcement in Memphis, Tennessee, has resulted in thousands of arrests, and that means thousands of goblins off the streets, for a time, at least. In fact, there have been so many arrests that it’s putting a strain on local jails and courts.
Something makes one think that this is a price the people of Memphis may be willing to pay.
A task force ordered by President Donald Trump to combat crime in Memphis, Tennessee, has made thousands of arrests, compounding strains on the busy local court system and an already overcrowded jail in ways that concerned officials say will last months or even years as cases play out.
Since late September, hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel tied to the Memphis Safe Task Force have made traffic stops, served warrants and searched for fugitives in the city of about 610,000 people. More than 2,800 people have been arrested and more than 28,000 traffic citations have been issued, data provided by the task force and Memphis police shows.
The task force, which includes National Guard troops, is supported by Republican Gov. Bill Lee and others who hope the surge reduces crime in a city that has grappled with violent crime, including nearly 300 homicides last year and nearly 400 in 2023.
2024 statistics, the most recent for which (obviously) a full year’s figures are available, place Memphis in first place, with the highest per capita rates of violent crime. This would seem to be a city ripe for an intervention.
It’s causing the city and county some headaches, but just because a thing isn’t easy doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.
The effects have rippled beyond the streets, into the aging criminal courthouse and the troubled jail. Officials are concerned about long waits in traffic court causing people to miss work and packed criminal court dockets forcing inmates to spend extra days waiting for bail hearings.
“The human cost of it is astounding,” said Josh Spickler, executive director for Just City, a Memphis-based organization that advocates for fairness in the criminal justice system.
The mayor of Shelby County, which includes Memphis, has requested more judges to hear cases that could span months or years. County officials are discussing opening court at night and on weekends, a move that would help manage the caseload but cost more.
Fine, fine. Surge those resources as well.
Read More: National Guard Builds Quick Reaction Forces to Counter Violence in Democrat-Led Cities
Brilliant! CNN Photobombed in Memphis Live Shot, Forcing Reporter to Destroy Dem Crime Narrative
Too many of America’s cities are out of control. Too many of our cities are in a doom spiral of crime and civil unrest. Democrats are bemoaning the Trump surge of federal officers and National Guard, but something has to be done. The reign of the unchecked goblins has to be stopped.
The real concern here is that this backlog in the jail and the courthouse will accelerate the revolving door that so many of our Democrat-run cities operate. There will certainly be pressure to get the goblins processed, plea-bargained, and “off the books,” as it were. And, ay, there’s the rub; the crime problem in our major cities will never be resolved until this issue is dealt with, as well.
For now, though, the people of Memphis are a little safer this morning. It’s OK to take that win.
Editor’s Note: The days of lawlessness in Memphis, TN are over. Thanks to President Trump, this great city will be SAFE once again.
Help us continue to report on President Trump’s efforts to restore law and order to our great nation. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.
