MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge on Monday blocked the use of the National Guard in Memphis under a crimefighting operation by President Donald Trump but also put the order on hold, giving the government five days to appeal.
Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal’s decision sides with Democratic state and local officials who sued, contending that Republican Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest unless there is rebellion or invasion, and even then, it would require action by state lawmakers.
The plaintiffs also argued that another provision spells out the necessity for a request from local authorities to use the Guard under scenarios which include a “breakdown of law and order.”
The state has claimed that Tennessee law grants the governor the authority to dispatch the Guard as needed and to determine when that need arises.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, a plaintiff in the case, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “The injunction does not take effect immediately, and the state has a chance to seek leave to appeal,” highlighting that this is a step toward enforcing the rule of law for all Tennesseans.
Since their arrival on Oct. 10, troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas in Memphis, including the downtown Pyramid, wearing military police badges but lacking arrest powers. This operation is part of Trump's initiative called the Memphis Safe Task Force, working alongside federal agencies which have reportedly made over 2,500 arrests.
The National Guard's deployment was announced by Trump in September to tackle the city's ongoing violent crime issues. Local officials, while acknowledging the crime surge, have noted differing opinions on the necessity and request for such intervention.
With ongoing discussions and legal disputes, the future of the National Guard's role in Memphis remains uncertain, as both sides prepare for potential escalation in the legal arena.
