During a Friday appearance on KWAM Radio, Rose, who is running for governor, vowed to deploy the National Guard if elected, and suggested Gov. Lee do the same.
Terrance Davis
September 5, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District John Rose, who is currently running for state governorship, signaled plans to deploy the national guard to Memphis during a Friday morning radio interview with KWAM News Radio.
During the chat, host Todd Starnes asks Rep. Rose whether or not he would consider sending the National Guard to Memphis, citing recent FBI crime data, which ranks Memphis and Nashville as among the top ten most violent cities in the United States, with Memphis at the top.
Memphis City Council member Jerri Green said last week she will run in the Democratic primary for the governor’s seat.
“Absolutely,” Rose responded. “I think Memphians and Tennesseans generally deserve a level of safety, and if the current crime statistics were to continue and I was governor, I would absolutely call on the National Guard to help stabilize the situation.”
Starnes briefly mentions Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s support for President Trump’s proposal to send troops to New Orleans before asking Rep. Rose if he would call on Gov. Bill Lee to urge the president to send troops to Memphis in the near future.
“I always try to be careful when it comes to second-guessing a leader like Governor Lee. I think he’s generally done a good job,” Rose says before affirming that he believes “it would be appropriate” based on the information he currently has.
When asked what Rose would do to help the economy of West Tennessee as governor, Rep. Rose mentioned that it would be important to listen to the demands of community leaders who are more aware of the Bluff City’s socioeconomic situation, but also stated that Memphis will likely need some level of state intervention to get back on track.
“I don’t think there are simple answers, but I think staying very focused on working with community leaders and social –you know, people who are plugged into what’s happening in Memphis, and listening to their ideas, but ultimately, the governor and the General Assembly have to step in and where local government is failing, figure out ways to work past them and augment what they’re doing.”
Rose’s suggestion closely mirrors policies found in House Bill 0662, which would establish a state-controlled oversight board over Memphis-Shelby County schools.
