NAACP demands end of Trump’s anticrime taskforce in Memphis after deaths of Black men

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has called for the immediate suspension of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal anti-crime initiative led by Donald Trump. This demand follows the recent deaths of two Black men in Tennessee under circumstances involving law enforcement and military personnel.

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a thorough, transparent federal investigation

In a letter addressed to acting attorney general Todd Blanche, the NAACP also urged a "thorough, transparent federal investigation" into the task force's operations. The organization expressed concerns that the surge of federal and military officers into Memphis lacked adequate training for civilian policing duties. The task force, established by Trump last year to combat rising crime rates in cities led by Democrats, has been linked to at least four deaths this year.

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The federal government has unique expertise and skill in investigating law enforcement misconduct, and in the case of Mr Johnson, there are challenges that arise given the involvement of federal officials.

The incidents prompting the NAACP's action include the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson by two Tennessee National Guard troops on Sunday. Authorities claim Johnson was in possession of a handgun and fired shots. Two days prior, the body of 34-year-old Darius Chappell was discovered in a cell at the Montgomery County jail. Chappell had been taken into custody on June 29 following a "use of force" incident in Clarksville, with video circulating on social media showing officers and a police canine involved in his arrest.

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There is a need for transparency into the fact surrounding Mr Chappell’s death. The public deserves facts about the force that was used and the extent to which Mr Chappell was offered medical care while in custody.

Details surrounding both deaths remain scarce. While the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into Johnson's death, the NAACP argued this is insufficient, especially given conflicting reports from various agencies and the involvement of federal officials. Regarding Chappell's death, no officers have been charged, and an official cause of death has not been determined. The NAACP emphasized the public's right to transparency concerning the force used and the medical care provided to Chappell while in custody.

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You swore an oath to support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the US. Despite this, during your tenure, we have seen the justice department fully retreat from investigating these matters. The department has abdicated its responsibility to prosecute officials who violate people’s civil and constitutional rights.