MEMPHIS — In early July, Miles Tamboli, the owner of Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza, announced he would not serve National Guard troops deployed to Memphis. The decision triggered a surge in customer support that filled the restaurant and generated threats against the owner's family.

President Trump deployed a federal task force and National Guard to Memphis, claiming the presence would reduce the city’s crime rate. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee activated the National Guard to support the federal initiative. More than 1,000 agents from the FBI, DEA, HSI, and other agencies were sent to Memphis.

Local activist Hunter Demster showed Tamboli’s announcement and provided links to a "buy-cott" of businesses refusing service to the task force. Libs of TikTok and Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes called for a boycott of Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza experienced a full house and a line of customers by 5:30 PM on a Friday shortly after the announcement.

Waitstaff at Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza stated the shop had never been that crowded at that early hour. Extra crew members were brought in to help at Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza due to the increased customer volume.

"Business is up a great amount," Miles Tamboli said. "I feel like that tells you everything you need to know about this group of people and their hold on reality," he said. "He had asked Grok if it was possible that Tamboli’s was doing well this week, and Grok said no. And he took a screenshot of that and sent it back to me, calling me a liar," he said.

"If you have a business – a small family-owned business – that says, ‘You know what, I’m sorry, I can’t serve you, I just don’t believe you should be here,’ it really should be OK," said Carol Bigam. Tamboli reported receiving threats of violence against himself, his wife, and his child. His wife and child are currently staying at a location other than their home. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza has been the target of review bombing on Google.

Memphis has experienced a declining rate of violent crime. On May 13, Memphis Safe Task Force agents shot and killed 41-year-old Darrin Pigram while serving an arrest warrant at a Burger King in the Frayser neighborhood. On May 21, a homeland security special agent killed 25-year-old Jonah Neal inside a home after responding to a report of an armed man threatening self-harm.

On July 5, National Guard soldiers fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson as he was being pursued by the Memphis Police Department near Ida B. Wells and Gayoso avenues. On July 8, federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents operating with the Memphis Safe Task Force killed 47-year-old Alphonso Ivy at a motel on Poplar Avenue. Four city residents have been killed since the federal task force initiative began in September. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators at a No Kings march in Memphis.

The deployment of federal agents and National Guard troops to Memphis has coincided with multiple fatal shootings involving law enforcement personnel. The initiative began in September, and four city residents have been killed during operations since that time. The announcement by Tamboli to refuse service to National Guard members occurred as the federal presence continued in the city.