After four killings and a revealing autopsy, Memphis is fed up with the national guard takeover

Although state officials laud a reduction in violent crime, a report claims it would have happened without the taskforce National guard troops began walking the streets of Memphis a year ago this week, as part of a federal surge of law enforcement agents sent into the city at the behest of the Trump administration to reduce violent crime. Fewer soldiers are on the street today, as the city’s grudging initial acceptance of the president’s deployment has given way to doubts about their effectiveness, focus and respect for civil rights – particularly after four men were killed in gunfire by federal agents working with the taskforce, with a recent autopsy showing that one was shot in the back. Continue reading...

George Chidi · Fri, Sep 18, 2026, 3:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

After four killings and a revealing autopsy, Memphis is fed up with the national guard takeover

Although state officials laud a reduction in violent crime, a report claims it would have happened without the taskforce

National guard troops began walking the streets of Memphis a year ago this week, as part of a federal surge of law enforcement agents sent into the city at the behest of the Trump administration to reduce violent crime.

Fewer soldiers are on the street today, as the city’s grudging initial acceptance of the president’s deployment has given way to doubts about their effectiveness, focus and respect for civil rights – particularly after four men were killed in gunfire by federal agents working with the taskforce, with a recent autopsy showing that one was shot in the back.

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