Tennessee judge blocks deployment of National Guard in Memphis

"The plaintiffs also said another provision spells out a need for a request from a local government to use the Guard in some scenarios, including a "breakdown of law and order," they said. The state has said Tennessee law gives the governor "the authority to dispatch the Guard when needed and to determine when that need exists." In a statement posted on X, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, a plaintiff in the case, said he is pleased with the decision."

"Since their arrival on Oct. 10, troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas of Memphis, including near the iconic Pyramid in downtown, wearing fatigues and protective vests that say "military police," with guns in holsters. Officials have said Guard members have no arrest power. The Guard is part of a task force established by an order from Trump. It also involves a slew of other law enforcement agencies whose officers have patrolling the city now for weeks."

A Tennessee judge blocked use of the National Guard in Memphis for a federal crimefighting operation and placed the injunction on hold to allow a five-day appeal. Democratic state and local officials argued that Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Guard for civil unrest absent rebellion or invasion and that such deployment could require legislative action or a local request in some scenarios. The state asserted that Tennessee law grants the governor authority to dispatch the Guard when needed. Since Oct. 10, Guard troops have patrolled Memphis as part of a federal task force while officials say they have no arrest powers.

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