A prominent Democrat lauded FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday for the federal law enforcement surge in Memphis, Tennessee, saying it’s made significant headway in combating crime.

“You did a good job,” said Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents the city. “We had a crime problem in Memphis, and the FBI has helped.”

The praise was a strikingly rare note in two days of hearings where Democrats lambasted Mr. Patel over his seven months on the job.

This week, Mr. Patel sent agents into Memphis to carry out President Trump’s push to combat crime.

It followed an earlier surge in Washington, which also involved a deployment of the National Guard.

Mr. Cohen said he hoped guardsmen wouldn’t be part of the Memphis effort, that the troops aren’t trained in law enforcement.

“I don’t think the National Guard will help,” he said.

But Mr. Patel said the guardsmen are crucial since they establish a security perimeter around crime-ridden areas, making it safe for the federal agents to operate.

He said that helped in the District, where the monthlong federal agent surge and troop deployment saw a 60% drop in gun crimes, a 53% decrease in homicides and a 74% drop in carjackings.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.