President Donald Trump said Monday that National Guard members deployed as part of his national crime initiative will begin receiving active-duty benefits.
Trump announced the move during a visit to Tennessee to highlight the work of the Memphis Safe Task Force, described by White House officials as “a decisive, aggressive federal intervention involving the National Guard and a host of federal agencies.”
“The secretary of war just signed a directive to ensure that all National Guard members serving on this task force, as well as in D.C., New Orleans, and our border security missions, will receive the same benefits as active duty troops,” Trump said. “Because you deserve it.”
Typically, National Guard members receive part-time pay and subsidized healthcare options and then active-duty benefits while on deployment. Active-duty military members receive full-time pay, subsidized housing, no-cost healthcare, tuition assistance, and retirement plans.
White House officials declined to comment on Trump‘s announcement upgrading the benefits for National Guard members. The Pentagon did not respond to questions about the upgrade in benefits.
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A White House official told the Washington Examiner that the Memphis task force has made upwards of 7,400 arrests and seized more than 1,200 illegal firearms off Memphis’ streets. 2025 was Memphis’s first year with fewer than 200 recorded murders since 2019, a 40% drop compared to the year prior.
Trump’s comments can be seen in full below.
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