The violence we’re witnessing in Minnesota could be happening in any other city in the country. If Trump has his way, it will be. It’s time for community leaders in every town and city to come together and do what the Trump admin won’t: hold ICE accountable and send them packing.

Honored to meet Vice President Kamala Harris during her Memphis book tour at a private reception hosted by Chairwoman Jana Swearengen Washington. Her words of encouragement on the campaign trail meant a great deal. #smileyformayor #kamala #jbsmileyjr #memphis #vpharris

Think of how much money we’d save if the National Guard and ICE deployment budgets were going into our communities instead.

As a local official, I’ve talked with countless community members about what they need from our city. The overwhelming majority cite safety, the need for good paying jobs, and a lower cost of living as being the issues they think about the most. That’s why I’m fighting for all three.

ICE invites protests because of their own bad behavior. If we want people to feel like they don’t have to take to the streets to voice their concerns, we have to get ICE off of those streets first.

We all want to feel safe in the communities we call home, but safety is more than just properly funded law enforcement. We need deep investments that uplift working people to ensure they have what they need to not only survive, but thrive.

ICE has no place in Memphis. If elected mayor of Shelby County, I will be intent on ensuring that our communities are protected from their activities and get the resources and support they need. We keep us safe.

My heart goes out to those who have been affected by the recent shooting, including the families and friends of those whose lives were taken. We shouldn’t have to go out on our streets fearing if we’ll be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis is another reminder of the harm that can be done when ICE is allowed to roam our streets without fear of accountability. It has to be made abundantly clear that ICE has no place in our cities, whether it be Minneapolis or Memphis.

Full time workers shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford next month’s bills. We need to ensure our city is affordable and bring costs down wherever we can, while providing livable wages to the people who call it home. That’s how you build a vibrant, stable community.

When I stood up against the National Guard on our streets, I did so knowing that we needed to ensure the streets could be safe without them. I’m looking forward to working with our law enforcement officials to build community safety plans with that goal in mind.

2025 was the hardest year of my life. I lost mentors, nephew, and my father within months. The grief came fast and hit deep. Was forced to slow down, and God carried me through loved ones. I made it to 2026 with my faith intact and my purpose clear—grateful for peace and ready for what’s next.

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, I’m grateful for the people, the purpose, and the opportunity to keep building a stronger future together. Let’s continue to do something 💪🏾 #jbsmileyjr #shelbycounty #votejbsmiley #memphis #happynewyear

Cold fronts mean freezing conditions for the unhoused members of our community. They need support, with leaders who have actual plans to get them on their feet and out of the streets.

Even a GOP-dominated Supreme Court agrees - the National Guard shouldn’t be the ones patrolling our streets. It’s time to stop wasting resources on this needless intimidation effort.

As we continue going through winter and experiencing the cold weather that comes with it, our unhoused community members are spending their days trying to figure out how to stay warm day in and day out.

As we near the Christmas season it’s more important than ever to remember that love and community are what really make us strong. So many people are coming back to see family, coming back to the neighborhoods they grew up in, and find community with each other.

I’ve been proud to stand with unions for years, and I’m proud that they’re standing with me during this election. I know what it’s going to take for workers to win the things they deserve, and it starts with having their unions at the table working side by side with me to push the ball forward.

Our city can’t be truly safe so long as ICE is patrolling our streets looking for community members to pull out of their homes and places of work. That doesn’t make us safer, it makes us scared.

Our firefighters put their lives on the line for us daily. The least we can do is ensure they are compensated fairly and treated with dignity.

Our streets are safer when the men and women put in charge of community safety have the resources and support they need to get the job done. They’ll get that support every single day when I’m in office.

Our first responders deserve all of the support we can get them to ensure they have the best pay, benefits, and equipment. They’re putting their lives on the line for our community. They deserve to know we value their sacrifice and contributions.

Americans shouldn’t have to wake up every day and worry about whether or not ICE is going to raid their place of employment.

We might’ve stopped Trump and his allies from putting the National Guard in our cities, but the fight is far from over. We’re going to continue keeping up the pressure and ensuring our cities aren’t occupied. We’re going to win - I know it.

Memphis has the best fire department in the country. Our firefighters show up every single day with courage, professionalism, and a level of service that saves lives and protects every corner of our city. Their work deserves our gratitude, our respect, and our support.

When we work together, there’s no challenge or threat from the Trump administration that can keep us down. We’re on the winning side, even if the cards might seem stacked against us sometimes. We will win.

The results of the Tennessee seventh district special election are further proof that even deep red districts are in play as a result of Trump’s decision making. We have a historic opportunity on every level. I’m excited to see that play out in Memphis as well.

“I want to be clear: I am absolutely voting for this raise. Our firefighters put their lives on the line for us daily. It would be a disservice to them and to the people of Memphis if we didn’t at least attempt to make this right.” #memphis #memphisfirefighters #jbsmileyjr

Memphis community members shouldn’t have to worry about experiencing gun violence when they’re walking down their streets. I’m excited to work with our local law enforcement and other community leaders to help ensure that they don’t have to.

I’m proud to have received the endorsement of countless unions across industries as we continue the race for mayor of Shelby County. They know I’m going to stand up for them and their workers. I know that when we work as partners, our city is better for it.

When the heart is wrong, the work will always fall short. When the intention is right, everything you touch grows. Check your “why.” Align your purpose. Lead with integrity, and the results will speak for themselves.

When the national guard made our residents feel unsafe, I stood with my fellow legislators and pushed to get them out of our communities. Their calls became our action because I know I’m here to fight for them. When we work together, we win.

It’s hard to have a happy Thanksgiving when so many households across the country are worrying about ICE raids and losing their family members. People shouldn’t have to worry about the danger something as mundane as a family gathering creates for them and their loved ones.

This year has brought its share of challenges and moments that tested our strength. Through it all, I’m grateful for a team that refuses to give up on me or our mission for Shelby County. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. #happythanksgiving #shelbycounty #votejbsmiley #ElectionDayMay5th

When our communities feel like home, we all do better. Shelby country deserves to have the safest, cleanest streets possible so the families that call our communities home can thrive.

THANK YOU SHELBY COUNTY! Your support in this poll means a lot but the real poll happens on May 5th, 2026: Election Day. Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word. www.votejbsmiley.com #jbsmileyjr #shelbycounty #memphis #vote #dosomething #peoplepowered #community

The GOP is desperate to intimidate those of us who are standing in the way of their goals. It’s hardly surprising that the tactics of nation guard occupations and ICE raids have become popular tools in that effort. They’d rather make our communities scared than safe.

The courts agree: the national guard has no reason to be occupying our streets. Maybe it’s time the GOP listen.

I’m not surprised that Tennessee Republicans are upset about the recent ruling regarding national guard deployments in our cities. They like the flashy, ineffective options that make them feel powerful, not actually effective policies that make us all safer.

For the GOP, the idea of majority non-white communities not being under occupation is scary. Wonder why that is.

Shutdowns at the national level affect our local communities, as do the agreements that get reached to avert them. ACA tax credits are on the line in December, putting many of our households at risk of increased healthcare costs going into 2026.

The Court has granted our temporary injunction. The National Guard is being ordered to leave memphis. I will never stop fighting for the people of our county and the rule of law.

ICE has no home in Memphis.

No national guard occupations, federal threats, or ICE raids are going to destroy the spirit of Memphis - the spirit that makes our city worth calling home. We’re in this together, and we’ll weather this storm.

Memphis residents shouldn’t have to wake up to headlines about shootings, hit and runs, and other issues that make them unsure if they want to be in the communities they call home.

As county mayor, I’m not bowing down to bad policy or broken politics! I’m standing up for our people. Every. Single. Time. #jbsmileyjr #shelbycounty #votejbsmiley #memphis #smileyformayor #dosomething #tennessee #teamsmiley

Memphis has the potential to be a shining example of what community and prosperity looks like in America’s cities. We already have the ingredients to make it happen, we just need the leadership to get it done.

Why are we shelling out millions for national guard deployments in our major cities when millions don’t have enough to put food on their tables?

Americans shouldn’t have to stay up at night wondering if the social safety nets they rely on will still exist when they wake up. They deserve stability and peace of mind.

As the federal shutdown drags on, Memphis is stepping up. This week, Vice Chair-elect Chase Carlisle and I spearheaded a $2.5M plus emergency relief plan to help families with food, utilities & essentials. We can’t control D.C. but we can care for each other here at home. 💙 #memphis #jbsmileyjr