NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) called for the deployment of the National Guard in the state capital via social media Wednesday.
"We don’t just need the National Guard in Memphis, send them to Nashville," Ogles said in a post to X. "Comrade O'Connell is using the city as an outpost for international gangs to set up shop in our neighborhoods. Punish criminals and the Mayors who work for them."
Ogles' post comes after an analysis of FBI data revealed that both Memphis and Nashville landed among the top ten U.S. cities with the highest rates of violent crime. Though President Donald Trump has previously mentioned considering sending troops to Memphis, Ogles' Wednesday post is among the first calls from public officials for similar action in Nashville.
The post also comes on the same day that Gov. Bill Lee answered questions about National Guard deployment in Memphis, adding that the state government "will work with the Trump administration and are now on what is the best way forward" for the city.
"There is nothing that is off the table," Lee said. "Everything is a possibility and we are aggressively pursuing the right strategy to lower the crime rate in Memphis. It's a great city, but it has a real challenge that needs to be addressed."
Lee continued affirming the state's commitment to working with the Trump administration when asked if the state would consider sending Tennessee National Guard troops to cities like Chicago or Baltimore. Trump has previously said that he's ready to order the mobilization of troops in those cities, and Tennessee sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
"We have been a partner with the Trump administration from the day that he came in here," Lee added. "President Trump uniquely understands the challenges that cities face. He uniquely understands the needs of this country. We've been a partner, and we'll continue to be a partner."
News 2 has reached out to O'Connell's office for comment.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/moqGSgN
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