On May 13, four Memphis residents filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force, alleging they were harassed and mistreated while observing and recording law enforcement activities. That same day, the U.S. Marshals Service released a detailed report showing the task force’s accomplishments since its launch in September 2025. The report indicated the operation has made significant strides: arresting 9,074 violent fugitives, seizing more than 1,500 illicit firearms, taking into custody 951 known gang members, and locating 150 missing children.

The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs were harassed, arrested, or physically mistreated during their observations of task force operations. It targets officials responsible for the Memphis Safe Task Force, which includes agents from 13 federal agencies, Tennessee State Troopers, and the Tennessee National Guard. The Department of Justice highlighted the task force’s achievements in its response to the lawsuit, noting over 9,000 arrests and the recovery of more than 1,500 illegal firearms within eight months.

According to first-quarter 2026 data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, Memphis homicides fell from 64 to 42, rapes dropped from 58 to 40, robberies decreased from 420 to 213 (nearly halved), and aggravated assaults declined from 1,490 to 1,087. President Trump directed the Memphis Safe Task Force to operate in Memphis due to the city’s high levels of violent crime and concerns about local law enforcement effectiveness. Eight months later, the operation has produced record arrests and recoveries. The administration described a broader strategy supporting law enforcement through restored access to surplus equipment and federal assistance for cities facing elevated crime rates.