President Donald Trump dropped an unexpected announcement Saturday evening that no doubt took many by surprise as he widens his crime-fighting push to additional cities around the country.

“The only reason crime is somewhat down in Memphis is because the FBI, and others in the Federal Government, at my direction, have been working there for 5 months – on the absolutely terrible Crime numbers. Likewise, in Chicago and Los Angeles!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“But the real work by us has barely begun. That happens after we make the official announcement that WE’RE COMING, and when we do that, as we did in now VERY SAFE WASHINGTON, D.C., the no crime “miracle” begins. ONLY I CAN SAVE THEM!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump added.

Trump has pledged to crack down on crime but faces resistance from Democratic leaders in states like Illinois and California. In Republican-led states such as Tennessee, however, his efforts have met less pushback.

On the campaign trail, Trump has frequently argued that Democrat-run cities are plagued by crime.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said Trump’s televised announcement Friday was the first firm confirmation he received that National Guard troops would be deployed to the city. Young told CNN he first learned the plan was under consideration earlier in the week from Gov. Bill Lee’s office.

He said discussions continued over the following days, including talks about bringing in additional support from the FBI, DEA, and ATF.