President Donald Trump announced Thursday the establishment of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal initiative aimed at addressing escalating crime in the city. The move follows a request from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who emphasized the urgency of stabilizing the region.

Trump stated the task force would mirror the “extraordinarily successful efforts” in Washington, D.C., where crime rates have declined significantly. He highlighted the need for decisive action, citing Memphis’ “really bad” crime statistics and the effectiveness of prior federal interventions. Earlier this year, the FBI was deployed to Memphis, leading to a reduction in violent activity. However, Trump signaled a more robust response, pledging to “send the big force now.”

The president also mentioned plans to expand similar measures to Chicago, where crime had been partially mitigated through earlier federal involvement. No specific details about the National Guard’s role or timelines were provided in the statement.

The initiative underscores Trump’s focus on local law enforcement collaboration and federal assistance amid rising public safety concerns.