The decision to send help to address the violent crime in Memphis has the support of the city's mayor and the state of Tennessee's governor, says Trump to the TV channel Fox News.
Governor Bill Lee, who is a republican, welcomes the announcement and says according to the news agency AP that the FBI and other police from Tennessee will help the national guard.
Paul Young, democrat and mayor of the entire Memphis, says to the local TV channel Channel 3 that he does not oppose the help but questions the need – the crimes are decreasing in the city, he points out.
Lowest level in 25 years
Lee Harris, mayor of Shelby County where the majority of Memphis is included, is much clearer in his criticism and asks his governor to "re-evaluate the proposal, if possible".
That individuals in military clothing, with semi-automatic weapons and armored vehicles patrol our streets is completely undemocratic and un-American, he says according to Channel 3.
Memphis has had major problems with crime and not least murder for several years. But in recent months, the crimes have decreased and earlier this week, the city police released a report showing that reported crimes are at the lowest level in 25 years.
"Would have preferred Chicago"
Donald Trump has previously deployed the national guard in Los Angeles and Washington DC, and he has also threatened to do so in Chicago and other democrat-led cities.
Trump says to Fox News that he "would have preferred to go into Chicago", but local politicians have strongly opposed this and the president suggests according to AP that the city was "too hostile".
Memphis is also led by democrats, but unlike the other cities, it is located in a state that Trump won in last year's presidential election. Tennessee was one of the states that in August sent parts of its national guard to Washington DC.
