Staff Reports
A rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment emerged during this week's contentious congressional hearings when Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee praised FBI Director Kash Patel for his decisive action in combating Memphis's rampant crime problem. "You did a good job," Cohen told Patel during his testimony. "We had a crime problem in Memphis, and the FBI has helped." This striking admission came amid two days of hearings where Democrats otherwise lambasted Patel's leadership, making Cohen's praise all the more significant for conservatives who have long argued that effective law enforcement works when properly implemented.
The acknowledgment highlights the undeniable success of Patel's aggressive approach to urban crime through Operation Viper, which has resulted in over 500 arrests of gang members and leaders across Memphis' estimated 100+ criminal organizations. The federal surge, involving FBI agents alongside ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals, has targeted violent repeat offenders and outstanding warrants that local authorities lacked resources to address effectively. Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis welcomed the assistance, noting the overwhelming backlog of warrants compared to available officers—a problem that federal intervention has helped resolve.
Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen praises FBI Director Patel for law enforcement surge in Memphishttps://t.co/c8BfjSZnd5 pic.twitter.com/ygTOvspuaE
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 18, 2025
The results speak for themselves: Memphis, once dubbed the "homicide capital of America" by Patel himself, has seen dramatic crime reductions across multiple categories. Homicides dropped 11% compared to the previous year, while overall crime reached a historic 25-year low, with robbery, burglary, and larceny also hitting 25-year lows. These improvements mirror similar successes in Washington, D.C., where Patel's federal law enforcement surge achieved a 60% drop in gun crimes, a 53% decrease in homicides, and a 74% reduction in carjackings.
Cohen's praise exposes the typical hypocrisy of his party, which usually opposes strong law enforcement measures but cannot deny results when they materialize. While Cohen expressed reservations about National Guard involvement—preferring FBI-only operations—his acknowledgment that federal intervention worked contradicts years of Democratic rhetoric opposing tough-on-crime policies. This rare moment of honesty from a liberal lawmaker underscores what conservatives have long maintained: that decisive law enforcement, not social programs or lenient policies, reduces crime and saves lives.
The Memphis success story represents a blueprint for restoring order to America's most troubled cities. With President Trump announcing plans to expand similar operations to Chicago, St. Louis, Miami, and other high-crime areas, Patel's approach proves that when law enforcement is properly resourced and empowered, results follow. Perhaps more Democrats will follow Cohen's lead and acknowledge what works, putting public safety above political posturing and recognizing that strong law enforcement benefits all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
