Podcast Summary: The Five — "Trump To Sign Memo On Memphis Crime"

Host: Fox News Podcasts
Episode Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Five," the panel covers President Donald Trump's signing of a memo to deploy the National Guard and other federal resources to address violent crime in Memphis, following reported successes in D.C. and other cities. The conversation unfolds into a detailed discussion on urban crime strategies, the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the politicization of violence, and broader cultural divides in America. The episode features a mix of live remarks from President Trump and responses from panelists and officials, blending policy, political analysis, and passionate debates about recent events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Action Against Urban Crime

• Trump's Rationale & Approach

  • President Trump emphasizes the immediate need to address urban crime, citing recent operations in D.C. and Baltimore as successful models to be implemented in Memphis.
  • He describes deploying federal forces through interagency cooperation, with the involvement of the FBI, DOJ, Department of War (DOD), and National Guard.
  • Major law enforcement figures (e.g. Cash Patel, Stephen Miller, Bill Lee) note that this is not a short-term push, but a dedicated, multi-agency effort to restore safety and public confidence.

• Notable Quote:

  • “What makes it to me so exciting is the success we had here so quickly… I want to see crime stop and I want to see the National Guard come in right away if that’s what’s necessary.” — Donald Trump [00:07]
  • “[Memphis] had the best stats they have had in years this past August... it’s because of the work that’s been done.” — Jesse Watters [04:06]

2. Specific Initiatives and Testimonials

• Operation Summer Heat & Operation Viper

  • Cash Patel credits the coordinated federal approach for lowering crime rates, especially with focused task forces like Operation Summer Heat in D.C. and Operation Viper in Memphis.
  • Multiple officials point to interagency templates being shared with local law enforcement for rapid scaling of these initiatives.

• Community & Law Enforcement Cooperation

  • Bill Lee, Tennessee Governor, stresses the non-partisan nature of public safety (“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. This should be something that is our primary goal.” [05:03])
  • The Memphis Police and Sheriff’s department are highlighted for their partnership and enthusiasm for federal assistance.

3. Broader Expansion: Other Cities on the Docket

• Trump identifies Chicago and St. Louis as next in line for federal intervention, mentioning previous incremental progress through “light force” FBI actions and hinting at a need for “big forces” for deeper reduction in crime numbers.
• “We think Chicago is going to be next and we'll get to St. Louis also.” — Donald Trump [18:46]

4. The Role and Limits of Federal Power

• When asked about sending the National Guard into cities without local government cooperation, Trump asserts, “If they don't [cooperate], it's not going to matter to us at all... Police department—they respect us.” [23:07]

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

1. Event and Investigation

• The assassination of Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk is a central topic. Trump and others link the event to the broader climate of political violence and alleged left-wing radicalization.
• FBI Director Cash Patel and Deputy Dan Bongino provide investigative updates, confirming that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was “radicalized online” and motivated by leftist ideology.
• “He claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.” — Cash Patel [37:13]

2. Radicalization, Online Influence & Trans Angle

• The suspect reportedly posted confessions on Discord after the murder; connections to online progressive communities and trans individuals surface during the investigative discussion.
• “We all figured there was going to be a trans angle. So the guy was dating a trans man, whatever that means.” — Dan Bongino [39:50]
• Panelists debate whether the killer acted alone or with foreknowledge from online associates.

3. Cultural & Political Reactions

• Emotional tributes are paid to Charlie Kirk; panelists discuss reactions by public figures and on social media, decrying both fringe and mainstream celebrations of the killing.

• The themes of spiritual conflict, generational divides over “political violence,” and left-right polarization are prominent.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “When you start making analogies to Hitler... it gives a permission structure. Even if you’re doing it unwittingly, it gives permission. And that is entirely unacceptable.” — Jessica Tarloff [50:00]
  • “We will shame, excommunicate them, banish them. And that is a promise. Until then, game on.” — Dan Bongino [51:13]

4. Debate over ‘Both Sides’ Arguments

• The conversation becomes heated when Greg Gutfeld and Jessica Tarloff suggest nuance and caution against painting political adversaries as a monolith, receiving strong pushback from Kayleigh McEnany.
• “There is no cognitive dissonance on our side. On your side, your beliefs do not match reality. So you're coming up with these rationalizations...” — Kayleigh McEnany [45:31]

Policy and Legal Questions

1. Domestic Terror Designations & RICO Statutes

• Jesse Watters inquires whether Trump would designate groups like Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations; Trump expresses willingness if given team support [14:52].

• Trump discusses targeting protest funders and violent agitators with RICO statutes: “These aren't protests, these are crimes… they should be put in jail… it's really subversive.” [15:08]

• NGOs Under Scrutiny

  • Stephen Miller details plans to investigate NGOs that “organize, as the President mentioned, attacks on ICE officers, attacks on border Patrol agents, organize doxing campaigns which are a violation of federal law...” [34:12]

2. Cultural Symbols and Free Speech

• Discussion about removing trans flags in D.C., with Trump referencing the complexity due to First Amendment protections [29:24].
• Trump floats the idea of prosecuting American flag burning as incitement to violence rather than as protected speech [29:37].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Urban Crime:

  • “Chicago here and a couple of other places that we can talk about later.” — Donald Trump [05:42]

• On Political Violence:

  • “Charlie Kirk said once that there is a spiritual battle playing out all around us. And you can choose to acknowledge it or you can choose to ignore it, but it is happening nevertheless.” — Jessica Tarloff [37:50]

• On Polarization:

  • “There is no cognitive dissonance on our side. On your side, your beliefs do not match reality. So you're coming up with these rationalizations...” — Kayleigh McEnany [45:31]

• On Social Responsibility:

  • “We will shame, excommunicate them, banish them. And that is a promise.” — Dan Bongino [51:13]

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• [00:07-02:54] — Trump & team discuss Memphis operation successes and rationale
• [04:06-07:58] — Law enforcement officials and local leaders celebrate interagency partnership, results in Memphis
• [14:34-15:08] — Trump on designating Antifa as domestic terror group, use of RICO statutes
• [23:07-23:45] — Trump on deploying National Guard into cities, with or without local support
• [37:13-42:30] — Panel covers details of the Charlie Kirk assassination, police/FBI investigation, radicalization themes
• [45:30-48:53] — Intense panel debate on “both sides” rhetoric and responsibility for violence
• [50:00-51:13] — Jessica Tarloff and Dan Bongino on the cultural/political implications of celebrating violence

Tone & Language

The episode features a mix of direct, candid, and sometimes heated rhetoric, blending passionate advocacy (especially from Kayleigh McEnany and Dan Bongino), tribute, political critique, and moments of lighter camaraderie. The language is often blunt and emotionally charged, mirroring the divisive and high-stakes themes under discussion.

Conclusion

This episode of "The Five" offers an unfiltered look at the Trump administration's latest anti-crime initiatives, reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the ongoing dispute over the roots and remedies of political violence in the U.S. With strong opinions and sharp exchanges, the podcast encapsulates the current tone of America’s political and cultural battles, leaving listeners with deep questions about safety, justice, and unity.