A Tennessee judge has issued a preliminary order halting the state's deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis after local officials challenged the activation as legally improper. Chancellor Moskal determined that Governor Bill Lee likely violated statutory requirements by ordering personnel into service without declaring an emergency or receiving formal requests from municipal authorities.
The Guard members were sent to assist a federal task force focused on public safety operations, but plaintiffs argued the deployment exceeded executive authority under state military code provisions limiting activations to invasion, rebellion, disaster, or comparable crises. Memphis and Shelby County representatives claimed the action interfered with their official responsibilities.
The state attempted to dismiss the lawsuit on immunity and jurisdictional grounds, but the court found officials demonstrated adequate injury to proceed. Implementation of the injunction awaits a bond payment unless appellate review extends the current stay.
The Guard members were sent to assist a federal task force focused on public safety operations, but plaintiffs argued the deployment exceeded executive authority under state military code provisions limiting activations to invasion, rebellion, disaster, or comparable crises. Memphis and Shelby County representatives claimed the action interfered with their official responsibilities.
The state attempted to dismiss the lawsuit on immunity and jurisdictional grounds, but the court found officials demonstrated adequate injury to proceed. Implementation of the injunction awaits a bond payment unless appellate review extends the current stay.
