Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday where he advocated for his initiative to “Make Memphis Matter,” specifically when it comes to addressing the city’s crime surge.
Tuesday’s committee hearing, titled “Blue City Chaos and Tragedy: How the Trump Administration is Addressing the Human Cost of Soft On Crime Policies,” was held to “examine the human costs of soft-on-crime policies and the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce violent crime.”
I’m here to discuss the urgent crime crisis in Memphis and my efforts to Make Memphis Matter by Making Memphis Safer.
Memphis consistently ranks among America’s most dangerous cities. In 2024, Memphis reported 111,000 crimes but only 19,000 arrests with 56% of cases dismissed.… pic.twitter.com/lZNyGCAmfq
— Senator Brent Taylor (@SenBrentTaylor) September 30, 2025
Taylor, who was one of seven panelists who testified at the hearing, opened his testimony by highlighting the ongoing crime crisis in Memphis, noting that in 2024 alone, the city saw over 111,000 reported crimes but only 19,000 arrests, with more than half of the cases dismissed.
Describing the city as one of the most dangerous in the country and recounted several high-profile violent crimes in recent years, Taylor warned that if current trends continue, Memphis risks losing its middle class, leaving behind only the extremely poor and the wealthy who can afford private security.
“[C]rime is so bad that last year, Shelby County, the county Memphis is in, saw the largest population loss of any county in the country. Without action, Memphis risks losing its middle class, leaving only the extremely poor and the wealthy who can afford private security,” Taylor said.
Taylor cited Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy as a significant factor behind the rise in crime, describing him as a “Soros-backed” prosecutor with a soft-on-crime agenda.
He criticized Mulroy for supporting policies such as diversion programs for felons with firearms, not opposing parole for those convicted of first-degree murder, and running an in-house Innocence Project that resulted in a twice-convicted murderer becoming parole-eligible.
“Allegations of race-based prosecutions and illegal commutations have led to pending ouster resolutions, now under Tennessee Supreme Court review, and a recent report shows our Restorative Justice Scheming District Attorney is partnering with progressive non-profits that encourage failed policies like cashless bail, decarceration, and manipulating data in a way that misleads the public into believing these failed policies are effective,” Taylor added.
Taylor went on to detail the legislative measures he has championed at the state level to counteract what he views as failed local policies and praised recent collaborative efforts between federal and state law enforcement to crack down on crime in Memphis.
He also praised recent collaborative efforts between federal and state law enforcement, notably Operation Viper and expressed confidence in the newly-announced Memphis Safe Task Force by President Donald Trump, which involves more than a dozen federal agencies, including the Tennessee National Guard, and aims to infiltrate gangs and arrest repeat offenders.
However, Taylor emphasized that local prosecution remains a weak point due to District Attorney Mulroy’s approach, and he is pushing for legislation to require public disclosure when charges are reduced or cases are not prosecuted under the Memphis Safe Task Force.
“I am confident President Trump’s recently announced Memphis Safe Task Force…However, the local DA remains the weak link for those arrested who will need to be prosecuted under state charges. To make sure the Memphis Safe Task Force is successful, I’m sponsoring state legislation to require public certification of any reduced charges or non-prosecuted cases for these initiatives,” Taylor said.
Taylor urged the U.S. Senate to confirm U.S. Attorney nominee Mike Dunavant and called on the Department of Justice to impose consent decrees on the Shelby County District Attorney and Juvenile Court Judge to enforce stricter crime policies.
“To maximize these efforts, I am hopeful US Attorney-nominee Mike Dunavant will soon be confirmed by this body. His proven tough-on-crime leadership will strengthen federal prosecutions in Memphis ensuring criminals face consequences when District Attorney Steve Mulroy fails. Lastly, I would recommend the Trump Department of Justice enter into consent decrees requiring the Shelby County District Attorney and Juvenile Court Judge to enforce tough-on-crime policies so Memphians can maintain the right to be safe in their homes, enjoy their property, and move about the city we all love,” Taylor said.
Taylor concluded by asserting that to “Make Memphis Matter,” the city must first be made safe—and that Memphis can and should serve as a national model for turning around urban crime crises.
“To Make Memphis Matter, we have to Make Memphis Safe. But, let’s also Make Memphis the Model—the model of how to turn around a great American City,” he said.
Taylor’s testimony in D.C. came just one day after the Memphis Safe Task Force officially launched, with the Department of Justice announcing that the operation’s first day led to nine arrests and the recovery of two illegal firearms.
This summer, two operations led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – CRIME (Crime Reduction in Memphis) Team and Operation Viper – collectively led to nearly 1,000 arrests and hundreds of federal indictments of individuals identified as violent criminals and members and leaders of gangs.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
