Bluff City Briefing
Good afternoon, everyone. Trump visits Memphis to talk about the Memphis Safe Task Force... Metro Council wants to know where homeless funds are going... The 5 Spot forced to take down Live Nation advertisement... And much more!
The Battle for Nashville's Soul Join us Thursday, March 26th for a discussion with developer and advocate Chris Remke as we dig into the city's actions around zoning and property taxes. (Buy Ticket)
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A quick look at what happened during President Donald Trump’s visit to Memphis today.
From Megan Podsiedlik
This morning, Air Force One touched down at Memphis International Airport an hour before President Donald Trump held a roundtable highlighting the ongoing success of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Memphis “We brought together 22 federal agencies, state and local police, and 1,500 members of the incredible National Guard to smash the grip of the violent criminals on this iconic American city,” said President Trump.
After years of rampant crime, the president touted that Memphis has experienced a 60 percent drop in robberies, a 74 percent drop in carjackings, a 70 percent reduction in murders at its peak, 7,000 criminal arrests, the seizure of more than 1,100 illegal guns, the confiscation of 1,000 pounds of illicit narcotics, and the recovery of 150 missing children.
“This catastrophe was a result of years of local politicians, judges, and prosecutors who sided with violent criminals over law-abiding citizens,” said President Trump.
Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller—who has been helping coordinate the task force and draft immigration legislation alongside Tennessee lawmakers—called it a “national miracle that will be studied.”
Dalisia Ballinger, a lifelong Memphian and mother, tearfully expressed her gratitude to President Trump for revitalizing the city of soul. Ballinger explained how the rise in crime stole her children’s ability to have a childhood: “The fear of stray bullets, the sounds of gunshots at night, constantly wondering if they were truly safe—that fear became real in a way that no mother should ever have to experience.”
ICE in Airports The president also mentioned his recent decision to place ICE agents in airports. Starting today, 13 U.S. airports will add ICE officers at TSA checkpoints. The idea may have originated from a listener who called in to a Nashville-based talk radio program, “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show."
During last Friday’s show, a caller named Linda suggested that ICE agents should be placed in airports. Friday night, Clay talked about the idea while making an appearance on Fox News. President Trump announced his plan to place ICE agents at airports on Saturday afternoon.
“The Democrats have caused lots of problems at the airports and all other places too,” said President Trump during today’s roundtable. “We shouldn't be in this position, especially when we're in conflict elsewhere.”
Though Tennessee airports are not currently coordinating with ICE agents, the president asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons how things were going. “We're going to make sure that your promise is kept, that we're going to help those lines move, and we're going to make people safe,” assured Lyons. “No one should be nervous to go to the airport.”
✹ DOES NASHVILLE WANT YOU TO STAY?
The Zoning Phantom Leadeth the Taxman Zoning, land use, and property tax disputes have animated political discussions in Nashville since Mayor Freddie O'Connell first took office in September 2023.
Through his Substack, Built to Think, and organization, Save Our Nashville Neighborhoods, Chris Remke has emerged as the city’s most potent critic of the Metro agenda. He's effectively drawn attention to everything from Nashville’s inflated growth projections to the smoke-and-mirrors assurances given to homeowners about how upzoning would affect them, and most recently, the betrayal of local businesses now saddled with unwieldy tax bills.
Join us Thursday evening, March 26th, for a wide-ranging discussion on what Metro is trying to achieve and where they've gone wrong.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
Who bankrolls your councilmember? We analyzed every donation to every council member to show you whether they're funded by their constituents or someone else. Higher grades go to those who raise more money locally. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 💸 Metro Council wants to know where millions allocated for homeless services went. During last week’s council meeting, members indicated that they haven’t received a full breakdown of how $4.4 million in allocated funds has been used. During the public comment period, one speaker alleged that payments related to homeless services may have been made without proper authorization. (Fox 17)
- 🎶 Live Nation removes ad touting new mega-venue in front of The 5 Spot after backlash. The move comes as the entertainment giant continues to draw national scrutiny following a Department of Justice antitrust settlement over allegations it operated an illegal monopoly in the live music industry. Critics who objected to the ad urged support for independent venues instead, arguing that Live Nation’s expanding footprint threatens Nashville’s local music ecosystem. (Tennessean)
- 🏠 TN bill aimed at helping Tennessee property owners carries unknown cost to local governments. The legislation would entitle property owners to compensation if new land use regulations reduce property value. Critics say this would erode communities’ ability to control growth. (Lookout)
- 🥃 CEO of Uncle Nearest Whiskey appeals order dismissing bankruptcy filing. CEO Fawn Weaver hoped filing for bankruptcy would put her back in control of the Tennessee whiskey company she founded, but had her plans blocked by a federal judge. (Tennessean)
- 💥 President postpones military strikes against Iranian power plants. The decision comes amid negotiations that are expected to continue today. (TS)
DEVELOPMENT
- Italian sports car brand Pagani revs up for debut in Giarratana tower (NBJ)
- Hotel building project eyed for Gulch sees movement (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 Annika Bennett @ The Basement, 7p, $24.65, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Monday with Kyle Tuttle @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $10, Info
🪕 Val Storey, Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & New Monday @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
Finish Repealing Tennessee’s CON LawsToday's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.