Tennessee Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment in Memphis Amid Legal Dispute

Tue Nov 18 2025 07:12:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Tennessee judge has temporarily halted the National Guard's deployment in Memphis, siding with local officials who argue the governor lacks proper authority to do so without legislative approval. The ruling may reshape crime-fighting strategies in the region.

Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal issued a ruling blocking the use of the National Guard in Memphis as part of a crimefighting initiative led by former President Trump. The court's decision comes after a lawsuit from local Democratic officials arguing that Governor Bill Lee overstepped his authority. While the ruling is on hold pending appeal, it highlights ongoing tensions regarding law enforcement strategies in a city grappling with high crime rates.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a significant ruling on Monday, a Tennessee judge halted the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis under a controversial crime-fighting operation initiated by former President Donald Trump, but the order is on hold for five days to allow for an appeal from the state government.

Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal sided with local Democratic officials who claimed that Governor Bill Lee does not have the authority to deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civilian unrest without legislative consent or a declared state of emergency. The plaintiffs emphasized that Tennessee law stipulates the need for a local request to use the Guard in certain situations, including severe disturbances.

In a statement, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who is a plaintiff in the case, expressed satisfaction with the ruling. The injunction does not take effect immediately, and the state has a chance to seek leave to appeal, he wrote, highlighting the importance of accountability under the law.

Since the National Guard's deployment on October 10, troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial districts in Memphis, dressed in military police gear. While they do not have arrest powers, their presence is part of the larger Memphis Safe Task Force, which includes other law enforcement agencies tasked with curbing crime in a city notorious for high rates of violent crime.

Governor Lee has asserted that his administration has the constitutional authority to deploy the Guard as needed. His office claims that the task force has significantly contributed to public safety by making over 2,500 arrests for various offenses since its establishment. Nonetheless, local officials, including Mayor Paul Young, have reiterated that they did not request the Guard's presence, emphasizing that the focus should remain on dealing with violent offenders specifically.

The legal situation surrounding the deployment underscores a broader conversation about the balance of power between state officials and local governance in addressing crime and ensuring community safety. Observers are watching closely as the state prepares to contest the judge's ruling, which could have lasting effects on policing in Memphis.