Crime Surges in Republican-Led States as National Guard Troops Serve in Washington

Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee faced criticism for sending National Guard troops to Washington to support federal crime control efforts rather than keeping them within Tennessee. Critics pointed to Memphis, a city with a homicide rate roughly twice that of the nation’s capital, as a location arguably in greater need of such support.

Similarly, Nashville experiences a higher rate of violent crime than Washington, raising questions about the deployment priorities of Republican governors.

Other Republican leaders, including Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike DeWine of Ohio, and Mike Kehoe of Missouri, preside over cities where violent crime rates exceed those of the capital, yet none have requested federal intervention in their jurisdictions.

The decision by Republican governors to send troops to Democratic-led cities has fueled concerns about deepening national divisions and the potential for political conflict. When asked about expanding federal forces to high-crime cities in Republican states, former President Trump acknowledged the possibility but downplayed the scale, stating there are not many such cities.

Contrary to that assertion, numerous cities—including Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield (Missouri), Birmingham (Alabama), Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo (Ohio), Tulsa (Oklahoma), Houston, Little Rock (Arkansas), Salt Lake City, and Shreveport (Louisiana)—have violent crime rates comparable to Washington, based on federal statistics.

Despite some Democratic voices warning of an unwelcome federal presence, the reality of troop deployments in Washington has not matched the more alarmist rhetoric. Republican governors who have so far refrained from seeking federal assistance might reconsider if the intervention proves effective in reducing crime.