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3h ago

Memphis Federal Task Force Logs 53 Arrests in 48 Hours as White House Team Heads to City

Early arrest tallies collide with unresolved questions over the National Guard’s authority.

Rachael Spriggs, accompanied by Sandra Pita, left, and Tikeila Rucker, center, addresses protesters gathered for a march in Memphis on Saturday to protest against the deployment of National Guard troops to the city.
People demonstrate above Interstate 40 in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, against the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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Overview

  • Attorney General Pamela Bondi says the operation recorded 53 arrests and 20 seized firearms in roughly two days, also reporting the recovery of a missing juvenile.
  • Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller are traveling to Memphis today to meet with law enforcement and local officials.
  • Bondi claims 219 National Guard members have been deputized as special U.S. Marshals, which conflicts with Gov. Bill Lee’s expectation of under 150 Guard personnel and his guidance that they will be unarmed and not make arrests without local request.
  • Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief CJ Davis say the Guard is not yet operating in the city, anticipate a limited support role potentially beginning within about two weeks and report ongoing coordination with federal agencies.
  • Federal leaders describe a multi-agency surge with a Joint Operations Center now active, while residents voice mixed reactions and city officials note some crime categories are down this year despite last year’s high violent crime rate.