Former President Donald Trump’s “American Freedom Tour” has responded following a report that city officials in Memphis do not want local police to assist in any way.
According to Action News 5, as of late last week, no local police agency had been asked to provide security for Trump’s entourage to the June 18 event, which is actually going to be held at the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss.
Memphis City Councilman Martavius Jones told the outlet that he doesn’t want any Memphis Police giving the former president an escort to the arena, which is a 15- to 20-minute drive south of the airport in Memphis. He went on to claim that the reason was financial, not political.
“He’s notorious for not paying,” said Jones, “When you talk about these rallies, there are huge expenses that various jurisdictions have to pay, and these expenditures are not being reimbursed by the Trump campaign or Trump organization.”
He said he and fellow Councilman JB Smiley Jr., a Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor, are planning to introduce a resolution barring the Memphis Police Dept. from providing any security assistance.
“He’s no longer the president. He has a Secret Service detail, I think that’s sufficient,” said Smiley.
But Larry Ward, a spokesperson for the American Freedom Tour, lashed out at the proposal, calling it “mean-spirited, partisan, preposterous and penurious.”
“Perhaps the Memphis City Council should consult with the good members of the Memphis Police Department about withholding security for President Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States,” he said, according to Action News 5.
“I am not sure they would agree with the proposal, as protecting presidents is and has always been an unambiguous national security priority,” he added.
The outlet went on to report that Memphis police will assist if asked to do so by the Secret Service.
Public Information Officer Major Karen Rudolph said: “If we are asked to assist any federal partner regarding the safety of a group or individual, we will assist.”
Rudolph added that, at the time of the report, his department had not yet been contacted by the American Freedom Tour.
Lt. Dallas Wolfe, the PIO for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, noted, “SCSO has protocols to be utilized if asked to assist by other law enforcement agencies. Operational details are confidential and we would not release details about security plans.”
And Tish Clark with the DeSoto County Sherriff’s Department said: “Nothing specific has been set up yet. The Secret Service will contact us and Southaven Police to put a plan in place.”
She went on to say “DCSD provides inside security for all events that occur at Lander’s Center because it is a county taxpayer-owned building. This event will be no different.”
According to the tour’s website, the event will feature several notable conservative figures including the former president’s son, Donald Trump Jr.; his fiancee and former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle; “2000 Mules” producer Dinesh D’Souza; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; leading conservative podcaster Candace Owens; and Pinal County, Ariz. Sheriff Mark Lamb.
“The American Freedom Tour with President Donald J. Trump is a celebration of faith, family, unalienable rights, and God-given American freedoms,” the tour’s website notes.
“Never before have America’s greatest conservative insiders and influencers come together for an event to unify an entire nation of silenced voices. In a time when so many in the media and government are tearing down America and its people, the American Freedom Tour celebrates America and what makes us great,” the website further adds.
“The greatest conservative insiders and influencers of our time have joined together to promote a conservative agenda and protect America’s future,” it says.
Asked if the tour had paid for its venue, Landers Center Executive Director Todd Mastry responded: “The American Freedom Tour is in compliance with the contract.”
(Note: By ordering tickets through the links below, you’ll be supporting and benefiting Conservative Brief — thank you!)
President Trump will appear at the American Freedom Tour event in Memphis, Tennessee on June 18th!
If you haven’t attended an American Freedom Tour event yet, here’s what people are saying:
“This was one of the most personable rally/freedom tour of President Trump. Meaning we were able to see everyone and have access to them. Don Jr., Kimberly, Pompeo and President Trump himself just a few feet away. Very friendly and trusting crowd. I felt honored to be there with all my peeps…Trump loving peeps. Thank you President Trump for coming to Austin We Love you so much!!! God Bless you President Trump!” –Mike F.
“You must go for a once in a lifetime experience to see and hear all the tremendous speakers, and to learn from everything presented from political ethics to moral principles to financial tips, and to meet fellow ultra-MAGA Patriots.” –Kyle P.
“Jr signed hundreds, if not thousands of books and took pictures with everyone. He also stayed after the event for an up-close & personal Q&A. He & Kim were kind, patient, and very approachable. Dinesh was just as kind & gracious. They are all wonderful, and we would love to see them again!” –Mary P.
In addition to President Trump, these “Ultra MAGA All-Stars” will also be live and in person:
— Donald Trump, Jr.
— Kimberly Guilfoyle
— Mike Pompeo
— Candace Owens
— Dinesh D’Souza
Some ticket packages include reserved seating and a roundtable with President Trump himself – click here to see if they’re still available.
If you’ve always wanted to see President Trump in person but haven’t been able to, this is it!
Click here to get tickets!
In addition to your seat, you can have access to other events during the day (depending on your ticket level):
— Roundtable With President Trump
— Photo Op With Candace Owens
— Meet & Greet And Photo Op With Donald Trump Jr. And Kimberly Guilfoyle
— Q&A Breakfast With Dinesh D’Souza
— Private Event Afterparty
Click here to see ticket prices for levels of access to the event.
Hurry – tickets often sell out to these events.
Join President Trump LIVE – IN PERSON in Memphis on June 18th!
If you can’t be in Memphis on June 18th, it’s just been announced that President Trump will be live in Greensboro, NC on July 15th – click here for details!
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
