In the west of Tennessee, Memphis has long been a city of soulful music, barbecue legends, and resilient people. But for years, it was also plagued by a shadow that dimmed its vibrancy: rampant crime. Enter State Senator Brent Taylor, a conservative firebrand whose #MakeMemphisMatter campaign has become synonymous with a dramatic turnaround in the city's safety. As we close out 2025, the numbers—and the stories from everyday Memphians—paint a picture of undeniable progress, much of it attributable to Taylor's unyielding advocacy.
Taylor, a trusted voice in Shelby County politics, didn't just talk about crime on my show; he waged war on it. Elected to the Tennessee Senate, he quickly positioned himself as a champion for victims over criminals, pushing back against what he calls "soft-on-crime" policies that he argues have handcuffed law enforcement.
His efforts gained national traction when he testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2025, decrying the human cost of lenient approaches in blue cities like Memphis.
Taylor didn't mince words, highlighting how policies from a Soros-backed district attorney—such as releasing suspects with minimal or no jail time—exacerbated the chaos.
His testimony wasn't just rhetoric; it helped catalyze federal intervention, including President Trump's announcement of the Safe Memphis Task Force and Operation Viper, a multi-agency crackdown that poured resources into the city.
The results? Staggering. By mid-2025, Memphis's overall crime rate had plummeted to a 25-year low, with major violent crimes and property crimes following suit.
Robberies, burglaries, and larcenies hit their lowest points in a quarter-century, while murders dropped to a six-year low—149 homicides through September, down from previous peaks.
The decline, which began modestly in 2024, accelerated sharply this year, with third-quarter data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) showing major violent crimes down significantly.
A TBI audit in December confirmed these drops are "real," validating the Memphis Police Department's claims of historic reductions.
Taylor's strategy was multifaceted. He advocated for deploying the National Guard to bolster local forces, a move that provided immediate relief on the streets.
And he wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers, calling out complacency and demanding accountability from the justice system. Critics accused him of negativity or political grandstanding, but Taylor's response was simple: results over perception. As he noted in a recent post, "Our efforts to #MakeMemphisMatter are working... crime literally cut in half in a few short months!"
The proof isn't just in spreadsheets; it's in the lived experiences of Memphians. A constituent's text shared by Taylor this week captures the shift: "We went downtown last night and felt so safe. So many people were out and it was like the Memphis from 25 years!!" This isn't isolated sentiment. With streets buzzing again and families venturing out without fear, Memphis is rediscovering its pulse. Taylor's early calls for expert consultation—like engaging former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton to craft crime-reduction strategies—laid the groundwork for these wins.
Of course, the fight isn't over. Taylor acknowledges there's more to do, particularly in holding the district attorney's office accountable for repeat offenders. But in a city that once topped lists for violent crime—with rates 344% above the national average in recent years—2025 marks a turning point.
Compared to other U.S. cities, Memphis's trajectory is now one of envy, outpacing declines in places like Chicago or Portland.
Brent Taylor's success isn't about one man; it's about leadership that refuses to accept defeat. By blending conservative principles with pragmatic action, he's helped restore hope to a city that deserves to shine. As Memphis steps into 2026 safer and stronger, Taylor's mantra rings true: Trusted. Conservative. Leadership. The Bluff City is mattering again, and it's thanks in large part to his refusal to let up.
A Big Help from DC
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has been the driving force in Washington elevating Memphis's crime crisis to national priority, securing federal resources that fueled dramatic safety gains in 2025.
Blackburn urged incoming FBI Director Kash Patel during his confirmation to prioritize Memphis, leading to the summer launch of Operation Viper—an FBI-led undercover operation with U.S. Marshals, ATF, and DEA that netted over 500 arrests and 100 indictments of violent gang members.
Building on this success, she joined President Trump at the White House in September 2025 for the signing of a memorandum creating the Memphis Safe Task Force. This multi-agency effort—coordinating over a dozen federal, state, and local partners including the Memphis Police Department, Tennessee National Guard, Justice Department, and more—delivered thousands of arrests (over 4,300 by late December), hundreds of illegal firearms seized, dozens of missing children recovered, and significant drops in violent crime.
Blackburn amplified the task force's wins through Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, her podcast Unmuted with Marsha (featuring guests like State Senator Brent Taylor and U.S. Marshals Director Gadyaces Serralta), floor speeches, and public statements. She collaborated closely with Taylor, appearing together in hearings to criticize "soft-on-crime" policies and champion bills like the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act and Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act to target repeat offenders federally.
She strongly supported deploying the National Guard to Memphis as a force multiplier for local law enforcement and hosted roundtables on juvenile crime prevention, including pushing the bipartisan AFTER SCHOOL Act for proven anti-recidivism programs.
Blackburn's advocacy—leveraging her Senate influence, Trump administration ties (including with AG Pam Bondi and FBI leadership), and partnership with Taylor—transformed local demands into sustained federal action. By December 2025, Memphis recorded historic lows in crime, with October marking the safest month since 2001.Her relentless focus has positioned Memphis as a national model for combating urban violence, proving that conservative leadership bridging state and federal levels can deliver real, lasting safety for Tennesseans.
Senator Taylor came to my town in November and promised me he’d make Memphis a safe place to visit with my daughter for Christmas. He kept his promise and so did I. We ate bbq at Rendezvous, toured Sun Studios, walked Beal Street and visited Graceland. Safely.
Congratulations Brent and happy new year residence and business owners of Memphis.
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer
